Toddler Property Laws

If I like it, it's mine!

If it's in my hand, it's mine!

If I had it a little while ago, it's mine!

If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way!

If I am doing or building something, all the pieces are mine!

If it looks just like mine, it's mine!

If I think it is mine, it's mine!

So, this is what is going on at our house ALL THE TIME!!! I think we hear the word, "MINE!" 50 times A DAY. That is no exaggeration. If Carter picks it up, it is his. Even if it's my cell phone or wallet, etc. It really doesn't matter what it is, if Carter has it, it's his.

If we need to take a toy away from Carter, he refuses because "it's mine!".

So, we are in major discipline mode. I have to say it is quite embarrasing when he flails on the floor in public when he refuses to do something. But, I figure there is not a mom and dad who has not had to go through this. We will just be glad when this stage is OVER and we can have our sweet baby boy back. We see glimpses of him. Yesterday after his nap he was a dreamboat.

But to tell you how much we put Carter in a "break" (or time out) whatever you want to call it, Carter came up to Greg last night and pointed to his goofy figurine which he had stood up on an exercise ball that I have. Carter informed Greg that Goofy was in time-out....because he had made a mess, he explained.

Yeah, we had a pretty good laugh about that one!