It's easy to wonder if anything you are trying to teach your child is sinking in. Scotland has firmly entered the “I don't want to,” “I don't want it” stage of toddlerhood. It's his automatic response. At times he says it before he's completely heard the question. Often he'll realize only after saying “I don't want to!!!” that, actually, my suggestion was quite delightful, at which point he'll smile, snicker and say: “I was just teasing you!” I'm not used to this sort of obstinance (lucky, I know) and so it's assuring when I hear him say these sorts of things:

“Can I have a tuna and sprouts sandwich?” “Can I eat your jicama, Daddy?”

In response to when Grandpa asked if Anders cries too much, “No, that's just how baby's talk!”

As we gaze at the snow together: “Did God give us the snow?”

And while this may just demonstrate what a bossy Mom I can be “Dad, you should put your shoes in the basket!” (Scotland LOVES to tell his Dad the rules of the household.)