Second son seems to have clocked me

[Anonymous]

We have two boys, one is almost 5 and the second is almost 2.5. I tend to be the more accommodating parent whereas my husband is very strong and is clearly the "alpha dog" of the family. Our youngest seems to respond instantly to my husband whereas for me he seems to dismiss me off the bat. Case in point. Dinner time. The kid is usually am excellent eater. Recently he has been saying he's all done pretty early into the meal. When I offer him more he pushes my hand away. My husband comes over and gently takes the spoon and offers it to him and he opens his mouth immediately. Second example, at bedtime when it's time to give up his water jug, he fights me tooth and nail. DH comes in and says all done and he gives it to him immediately. What gives???

[Anonymous]

This can't be a real question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This can't be a real question.

It is actually. I have an older son and do not have this problem with him so am a bit surprised to have this reaction especially so early from our youngest. I'm not as stern as my DH but not a complete pushover. My oldest responds to me (although yes sometimes we do have more back and forth than my husband would). It's just surprising to me I guess to see this from my youngest who doesn't say much but clearly has picked up on the fact that I am not the alpha male of the house. I would think not many families have 2 alpha dogs in the household.

[Anonymous]

It’s the reverse dynamic at my house. And the reason is simple - they know they can get away with it.

DH is a big tall guy and I’m a short small woman. He will yell for the kids to stop running around or ‘get off your brother! NOW!’ and the kids mostly just keep going until he physically gets in there and stops them. I walk in the room and before I’ve even finished saying their names it’s over.

Kids push boundaries with you because they know they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the reverse dynamic at my house. And the reason is simple - they know they can get away with it.

DH is a big tall guy and I’m a short small woman. He will yell for the kids to stop running around or ‘get off your brother! NOW!’ and the kids mostly just keep going until he physically gets in there and stops them. I walk in the room and before I’ve even finished saying their names it’s over.

Kids push boundaries with you because they know they can.

I'm starting to realize this. Can you provide more insight into your approach and how you set those boundaries up front. My youngest is hardly talking, generally listens well (much better than older brother) and is only just starting to have a few tantrums (not really in it yet). So the fact that I'm seeing this from him is kinda surprising and definitely a reality check because the only place I believe he has gotten this idea is from watching interactions between me and older brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This can't be a real question.

NP. With all the troll posts today, THIS is the one you're questioning?