Lately my adorable toddler has been testing the boundaries. I knew this time would come since he is about 21 1/2 months old. He loves to pull our dogs tails lately, stand on chairs, climb things that he should not and do all those fun things that he knows he should not do. I have to say that I am not a strict mom. I watch a lot of other moms who are very strict with rules and regulations. But I also want my child to know that there are rules and that he does not run the show.

I have been noticing that he does not listen to me all of the time. Yes I know he is a December Sagittarius Baby and he is all FIRE like his mom and dad but hey this Aries mom is putting her foot down. All the books I have read says to keep a low voice and talk to your kid and explain that the behavior is not working but that is not working here. I have a spirited and energetic kid who is like me…very strong willed. So I have started to change the tone in my voice when I am telling him that he should not do something but I feel guilty. I also put him in a time out the other day for pulling Esther’s tail after I said NO. I know this must be a common feeling for some women. See we had no rules. We did whatever and I always got my way. And I don’t want that for Max or for us as parents.

Since we had no rules I always felt nervous as a child and that anxiety carried with me into adulthood. I want to do my best to not give that to my children. No matter what we will do our best as parents and our kids will turn out how they turn out.

Do you ever feel guilt when you discipline your child and how do you discipline?

Max is one of those spirited kids. He does not like to be tied down to anything. He wants to do things when He wants to do them and this means eating too. Max goes through food phases. He used to eat nitrate free lunch meat -like turkey and chicken and then one day he stopped. Then it was nitrate free hot dogs-chicken, turkey and beef and then he stopped. Then it was eggs and then he stopped. Then it was burgers and then he stopped. Then it was brown rice and then he stopped. Well that may not be true-he eats eggs, burgers and brown rice when he feels like it.

Daphne Goldberg , his pediatrician, said that babies will go to the foods that their body needs and so I guess Max stops when he does not need it anymore. It is interesting that he never craves yogurt or most milk products. Max eats very healthy for a little guy but he is so selective.

However, if it is on the run-well he will eat. He will eat in the stroller, car seat and on the run (yes walking and eating). I have never forced him to sit and eat snacks but always eat his meals. He used to be fine eating meals in his chair at the table but lately, he does not even want to do that. Tonight I actually put his high chair in front of Sesame Street on the TV and let him eat. I told him we were having special TV dinner since daddy was not home but after I did it, I regretted my Mommy Parenting Decision. I know just once will take a week to turn around but I want him to eat. I know if he is hungry then he will eat but still-I think he will go to bed hungry and wake up. UGH-what to do? 

Am I being a bad MOM? Will my kid ever learn to sit and eat? Is this just a phase? Help! Any suggestions?

I said a few weeks ago that I started Max in a Mommy and me class at a local jewish temple. I like this class a lot because he learns the customs and prayers as well as it is a 2 hour class with structure. Since Max is turning 2 December 20th, he could get into preschool January but my feeling is that it is too close to Samantha’s birth. I think Max is very sensitive and so there is no need to traumatize him with school. I figure when September comes, then we will put him in for 2 mornings a week.

So anyway, the class we are taking, which we call “school” so he knows the difference is a class where the kids are required to move to different class rooms and do designated activities. They have open play for about 30 mins with arts and crafts, then song time and story time, and then free play outside. Max did not want to leave this one toy and so he started to throw a tantrum. I tried to talk to him and move to the next class but he was not having it. I picked him up and walked out and we walked to the window for some distraction. It worked and then we talked about how hard it is to leave a toy. Then I asked him if he wanted to join the other kids and he got excited. Max was able to get through that tantrum in about 2 or 3 minutes. I was so proud of him. It is really amazing to watch him navigate his way through the world already. I feel blessed to be a part of his journey. We adore you Max!