“I do it myself” – performed without words
Shriek when parent tries to put shirt over your head. Grab shirt and lift it up, then immediately pull it back down over your head. Bat parent’s hand away. Slither arm up through neckhole. Shriek when parent tries to help redirect hand through armhole. Bat parent’s hand away again. Pull arm back down and wiggle around to find sleeve. Repeat. Grudgingly allow parent to fasten snaps in back.
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Ignore parent’s repeated requests to put on your shoes. Shriek when parent hands shoes to you. Throw shoes on floor and pick them up yourself. Put left shoe on right foot. Begin wailing when velcro fastener doesn’t perform to your satisfaction. When parent attempts to offer assistance, bat parent’s hand away. Leave velcro unfastened and put right shoe on left foot. When velcro still refuses to cooperate, shriek until parent returns to fasten velcro.
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Drop fork on floor. Squirm off stool until feet are dangling a foot off the ground and begin shrieking. When parent offers assistance, wail louder. Continue wiggling and whimpering as parent notices fork. When parent picks up fork and attempts to hand it to you, bat parent’s hand away and knock fork back onto the floor. Grudgingly allow parent to lift you down to the floor. Grab fork and toss onto counter. Climb back up onto stool and look at parent disdainfully.
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Ignore parent’s repeated requests to close door. When parent comes over to close door, shriek. Open door and close it yourself.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:00 am
I feel you — even Mr. Verbal over here shifts rapidly into shriek-’n'-throw mode at the slightest “provocation” (you know, like being offered a pretzel when he JUST ASKED FOR A PRETZEL).
July 19th, 2007 at 11:06 am
It’s the Universal Two Year Old Humanity!
Did they take a class? Devise some Manifesto?
Does random crankiness and “come hither-NO! goeth away” fall under Part A or Part B?
July 19th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I’m chuckling… this morning my 4 year old had a fit of pique that brought out the super human strength that only little people can muster, you know that one that makes it look like the child is being abused when all you’re really doing is trying to carry her someplace she doesn’t want to be.
July 19th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Deep breaths. Many deep breaths.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
oh, I remember those days so well. Now, instead, I have a 4 1/2 year old who wants me to do just about everything for her. Except open the door. I am not allowed to touch it.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
your description hit so close to home (except the “without words” part) i briefly wondered whether or not mousie and the bob were separated at birth…but then i remembered, you’re not dumb enough to have conceived with db…
July 19th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Sounds eerily like my house.
My daughter will have an absolute melt down if I do something that she wanted to do herself…. It’s so much fun!
July 19th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
beutifully written. i could picture it all. they can be stubborn, huh? but they’re also learning, which is what we want, too.
July 19th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Kids suck.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Whoa, that described my morning too. Except mine had words and they were “Mommy, I need HEEYP!” Followed by “NO, I DO IT!” Repeat.
Karly: truly they do.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
When did you move into my house?
Only around here the phrase is pronounced, “I do it mys-out!”
July 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Too true… Too true…
July 20th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Just saw my adorable 2 1/2 year old grandson refuse to take off his slightly soiled shirt he had been wearing all day to get ready for bed, I thought I could win that battle, after all I’m a grandmother, but guess who won the battle and slept in the lime green shirt! The next morning when he got up his hair was all tossled and he looked adorable in that green shirt! So what’s the fuss?
July 20th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Even my 21-month old yells, “Self! Self!” It’s simultaneously maddening and something to be happy about. I hear you!
July 20th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I guess sometimes it’s good that Cordy expects me to do everything for her! She is nearly three and has never had a fit of “I do it myself!”, with or without words.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I love it! I live it!