Ying and Niq’s Niche

Gabriel at 2 years and 7 months is showing signs of the desire to be independent. He would say “I want to…” when he wants to participate doing something, like washing the vegetables, pouring the milk powder, etc. This morning, he told me, “Papa, I don’t want to go to school, I’m sick”. He is trying to cheat me. He would not change his pyjamas, or take his sykofen, or drink his milk. He said “Papa, I want to sleep”. It takes lots of patience to tolerate his bargaining. I have create something interesting to coax him to do something. It also helps to give him a choice, like which story book he would like to read, or which candy he would like to take to school. Gabriel would also sometimes show his authority, usually when he is not in a good mood. He once ordered Ying to “Put the medicine down! Put it here!”. It is a challenging stage. We have to discipline him and teach him what is right and wrong. When we scold him, he would sulk and ask “Mummy, why do you scold me?”. He would also run to Grandma and complain “Grandma, Papa scold me.”.