There’s a moment of horror when you realise your child is becoming just a little too smart. It hits you one day, out of the blue. You’ve gone through the excitement of baby finding her fingers. You’ve swooned as baby learnt to sit up. You’ve marvelled as baby played peek-a-boo. You’ve seen this small person learn things. It’s amazing to see their little brains in action.
But then, just as you start to enjoy your toddler becoming more independent and capable, you realise they’re also starting to think for themselves. It’s one thing to clap and cheer as your little one manages to put the square shape into the square hole in the shape sorter. But another to realise they’re learning how to manipulate and scheme.
A terrifying realisation starts to grip you…. this tiny person doesn’t actually need to do what you say. Like seriously. You can scream and shout and jump up and down, but they are an entirely separate person to you. They can straight-up refuse to obey you. They can hold out until you grow old and die. It’s just a matter of who gives up first.