Independence, it’s good right?

[Nai]

I used to do the same at 4 - I think it is good (apart from the still going when you asked him to stay bit)

[MummaSue]

Hehehe, that made me smile. Very independent little chap, with his own mind!

[nothing2lose]

I think independence needs to be balanced with respect (hard to teach a four year old!!!). You asked him not to go and he did. Probably not something that I personally would be happy with....But, then, I guess it depends on your parenting style.

If it were me, I would be teaching him the most important expression of independence there is....How to do his own washing, cleaning, cooking, ironing, etc

(that was a joke....!...Well, kind of )

[Epacris]

Yep N2L, I totally agree. But at the time it was very much a case of picking my battles. The tone he used with me when I told him “no” was very much, “Yes Mummy, I hear and understand you, but I have decided that this is more important to me right now, and so I am going to do it regardless of what you want.” To get him to tow-the-line at that point I would have had to pull rank which would have been a major escalation of the situation and I was already caught short because I didn’t think he’d actually do it (just up and leave). (and DH had just got home and I was drinking champagne and eating a double brie, so there was also a major no-way-can-I-be bothered-winning-this-one factor going on).

And yes of course, if I ever hand him over to a life partner of his choice he will come fully house trained.

MadB, MummaSue and Nai.

[nothing2lose]

and DH had just got home and I was drinking champagne and eating a double brie, so there was also a major no-way-can-I-be bothered-winning-this-one factor going on).

Say no more....I hear you!

[kelebek]

I think it's wonderful that you have a little village like this... I think it's wonderful how independant he is.... the not listening, I am sure there will be more battles with that so goodluck to you lol

[Beach Mama]

What they all said - sounds like you have a lovely set up! I was just thinking today how nice it would be to live in a quiet street/court where kids can ride bikes etc.

[peanutter]

yay for independence, no to complete disregard for your authority, however:-

I was already caught short because I didn’t think he’d actually do it (just up and leave). (and DH had just got home and I was drinking champagne and eating a double brie, so there was also a major no-way-can-I-be bothered-winning-this-one factor going on).

mumma, nutter hears you

[Epacris]

Thanks guys. Yeah, we’re really lucky, it’s a lovely street. We appreciate it so much now that we have kids of our own. It is just so nice that the kids are all so free. People are sometimes surprised that they don’t wander off, but they all know to stay up near the houses and they never do (wander off). Our neighbours are people we wouldn’t normally be friends with and we’re not friends as such, just friendly neighbours. We’ve thought about moving so many times because our house has a few things that we really don’t like (on a south facing slope, no vehicle access to the house, no large garage/workshop), but we just can’t move ‘cos we don’t want to split up the gang! Where would we find another house with built in playmates.

As for champagne and double brie, I think it’s like putting on your oxygen mask before your child’s isn’t it?