You think they aren't listening??

You never know if you are doing a good job of parenting. Most of the time, you close your eyes and hope for the best. Discipline is always tricky...Aidan seems to understand what he has done wrong and seems to be upset when he gets in trouble, but you never know if he is really learning anything or if he will remember the lessons a few days down the road.

Today I got a little glimpse into his mind and maybe, just maybe, he is retaining some of these life lessons (and making up a few rules of his own along the way).

The back story...

A couple of weeks ago, Aidan used his new markers to draw on the wall...just 2 minutes after being reminded that markers were for paper only. He got his markers taken away for the day and was sent to his room to think about what he had done. He of course, in true Aidan fashion, FLIPPED OUT!! I'm talking screaming, flailing, pleading. I stayed strong though and he did not get his markers back for the entire day, even though the 12th temper tantrum of the day almost cracked me.

Fast forward 2 weeks...

We were playing in the livingroom and as always, Aidan has his favorite toy, Mr. Monkey, in one hand. I notice that Mr. Monkey has a marker in one hand and stop to observe what will happen next. Mr. Monkey pretends to write on the wall and Aidan instantly starts telling him. "You not write on walls! You no have markers all day now! You go to your room now!"

I can't help but smile...our parenting is working. He is learning consequences to his behaviour and is retaining all the lessons learned. He is well adjusted and certainly on the path to becoming a productive member of society.

UNTIL...

Aidan continues to scold Mr. Monkey...then starts beating him against the side of the couch and then throws him on to the floor. My jaw hits the floor and Aidan looks at me and says "Mr. Monkey draw wall, so I hit him on the couch."

Okay, so maybe not so well adjusted and perhaps in need of therapy, but at least he won't be writing on the wall anytime soon.