Territorality

As part of the challenges that come with the terrible twos, Gabe has begun to get really possessive of what belongs to him. The items can range from his own toys to stuff that he is holding in his hands at that point in time. His angst is especially towards children around his age and to the dismay of the parents, he gets aggressive enough to shove the kids on top of shouting "no!" in instruction.

On our part, we have been trying to be consistent in teaching him that he should not push other children, or anyone for that matter and to share. We have also been very liberal in smacking his hand in response to his disobedience. It is the perseverance in consistency that is most tiring on us. Sometimes I wonder if this whole process if for the disciplining of the child or of the parent.

Anyway, we were surprised when he reacted the same way to others coming near to rourou's bouncer. He will also protest when adults whom he is not familiar with or close to, carry his sister. He'll verbalize "don't want so-and-so carry meimei". I wonder where he got the idea that meimei belongs to him since we never really drilled that part in. But well, the beginnings of protectiveness of his little sister is something we are happy to see in the midst of struggling with the problem of his territoriality.