Likes & dislikes

So, where are we at this week? Well, lots of emotions, lots of testing boundaries, lots of testing relationships.

David has decided to take an all or nothing approach to life. It started last week (and who knows how long it will last?). David doesn't just like anything anymore. He LOVES it. So, on Saturday David said that he LOVES gymnastics. I said "Really?" and he said "Of course!" This morning David said that he LOVES daycare! He also loves Ben 10, potato chips, bubbles .... You get the idea.

David also HATES lots of thing recently. He HATES gymnastics. He HATES daycare (also this morning, about 45 minutes after he said that he LOVES daycare). He HATES broccoli. He also randomly HATES food that he likes, and then gets over it.

He is just so passionate about it all. He gets frustrated and cross if things that he is making or building don't go just right. He is so happy when he gets something new, no matter how small, or when we fix something or build it just right.

Occasionally he is BORED over something.

More disturbing, over the last week David is now saying that he HATES mum, or that he HATES dad. There is a direct relationship between the "love" and "hate" and getting his own way (or not). He is also saying "Go AWAY." when he is angry. Interestingly he is also saying"You're sacked! You're not my mum anymore." I know where the "You're sacked" somes from. It is from the Pamela Allen book "Brown Bread and Honey". After a relatively short period, David will tell me that I am not sacked anymore, and that he loves me, and wants a cuddle. I have tried reasoning with him and explaining the consequences of what he is saying but I have come to the conclusion that there is no point. He doesn't really understand what he is saying.

It seems to follow on from the playground stuff that is present in Pre-school and which wasn't in the Nursery room. One day two kids are best friends and the next day "He's not my friend anymore." For example, in March this year, David went to Gordon's birthday party. Approximately six weeks after the party, Gordon upset David when he said to David "You're not coming to my birthday party!" I explained to David that he had already been to the party, so that this didn't make sense. The next day they were best friends again. The following week, David told Gordon that he didn't want to play with him anymore.

David also has the unfortunate habit of growling (I think like a dog) when he is most displeased about something. Fortunately, I can make him laugh about it some times.

So, at the moment it is all a bit of a rollercoaster. I understand from the parents of some HSC students that it can continue for years...... Lots of fun!

(Oh, this has somewhat replaced the phase from last month where he stopped saying Yes! and replaced it with "Of course!")

I just thought that I would add this photo from a few weeks ago. As regular readers would know, David has always liked playing in bags & suitcases. He will be too big soon!