the one about stubborness being passed right on down

A is pretty picky when it comes to how he's dressed. He likes to choose what he's wearing, even pajamas. Now in my house right now, I will unabashedly admit that we are good at getting the laundry done and horrible at getting it folded and put away. Our washer and dryer are in a nook in the hallway, and all the clean clothes are on the other side of the hallway. K usually folds most everything on his days off, which is fantastic. But sometimes there's more laundry than there is time to fold it and put it away. This is a terrible combination when you put it with a two year old who has it in his head what he wants to wear and can't always say exactly what that is.

Last night, I was getting the boys ready for bed. S does pretty well with a short list. Go potty, get pajamas on, get in bed. I have to say it five hundred times some nights, but he can get himself dressed. A still needs a diaper change and help getting clothes on and off. We are now at the point where he can undress himself most of the way and I am basically holding clothes for him to put on. I got him in pajamas and then he took them off because those weren't the ones he wanted to wear. But it was the only actual set in his drawer. I pulled out the handful of shirts in the dresser and he ended up picking a regular t shirt and a different pair of pajama pants to wear. And then, in true genetic stubbornness and determination and ridiculousness, he insisted on dressing himself with no help.

He is two years old. Not even two and a half yet! I in no way expect him to dress himself. He is getting there and that is just fine! I don't mind helping S get dressed either even. So he got this idea in his head all on his own. I tried to sneakily help him pull his pants up, and he caught me and was just so angry/sad that he couldn't do that on his own that he had big ol tears in his eyes while he tried to get his shirt on. He finally mostly managed it, and then just crawled up into my lap to cry.

I told him he was amazing and that at two, certainly not expected to dress himself. But that he did it and I was so proud of him! And this sweet child of mine, just snuggled into my neck. I just thought of all the times my dad told me it wasn't a bad thing to ask for help as I was growing up. The train of stubbornness continues on down the line. I feel like I literally just learned how to know I need help before the situation completely derails and how to ask for it and receive it. I am 34. Years. Old. I already completed an entire nursing program, and it took two quarters in of the second nursing program to finally get it!