Grayson's Trash Attitude

Parenting has a learning curve. I am not sure where exactly I fall on this yet. One of the things we are constantly trying to figure out is when and how to punish the boys. Sometimes I think I just have to try my best to not strangle my boys. Everyday (well... when I remember) I have a small snack ready when I pick the boys up from daycare. I figure they eat lunch at 11:30 and snack around 2 so by the time I get there at around 6 they have growling tummies. Anyway, I brought Grayson a package of fruit snacks yesterday. When we got home he was trying to give me his trash. I suggested that he put it in the trashcan himself, but he didn't like this idea. "Mom, that is not a good deal." I reminded him that it was his snack and my arms were full. He had all kinds of excuses as to why he couldn't put it in the trash. Finally after several reminders that it was his to throw away, his response got the "tone". You know the one where you can tell you have finally hit the last nerve and they are about to have a fit. 

Mom: "Grayson, do not talk to mom like that. It is not polite and I don't appreciate it."

Grayson: "Mom, I don't like that look you just gave me. It wasn't nice either"

I wish that I could have taken a picture of the look on his face as he tried to mimic the look that I had given him when I told him I was not pleased. It was so entertaining to watch him try to widen his eyes and move his eyebrows around. Now, at this point I was REALLY frustrated with him, but I couldn't even find words to get onto him with. It was either strangle him (not recommended as a parenting technique, but often desired as one) or just repeat "GRAYSON" with the tone right back at him. He is still breathing if you are wondering (and he put his trash away). 

I hear a lot that Grayson looks just like me. There is a resemblance for sure. And although I often wonder where he gets his attitude from at such a young age, its probably either a) from daycare or b) from home. I would like to think that the attitude is not from mom, but one of the top sayings from my mom "Stephanie! DO NOT USE THAT TONE WITH ME!!!" At least I know that his fascination with bathroom habits is likely related to the 1/2 of his chromosomes that I didn't provide.