Tough love used to mean something entirely different to me before having a son. 'Tough love' could be used to explain the rough and tumble loving ways of toddler boy! There's no better way to describe it. I never said the following things to Allison when she was young:
Don't kiss me so hard, you're going to hurt me!
Try not to squeeze me so tight.
I don't like it when your snuggling turns into headbutting.
The way he shows love is so hard, so intense. I know that he wants to really show me what he's got when he says he wants to play on the floor. It starts beautifully. Snuggling, kisses, holidng my face with his chubby hands... and then it starts to change. Some under his breath growling, mixed in with sweet nothings like "mama you're my best girl" or "you're so important to me." Soon, he's kissing my face but also bearing his teeth. Next, comes lowering his shoulder and leaning in with all his weight into my chest. Still smiling. Still with intentions of affection. It might remind you of the Looney Toons lines "I will hug him, and pet him and squeeze him and call him George" At this point in the snugglefest, my hair is frizzed out, part of an eyebrow is probably smudged and my face is wet and blotchy. Now, that's tough love from a toddler boy. You never know what you're going to get! The latest gentlemanly thing he does is blow dry my hair. When he hears it start, he runs in and says, "mama I dry your hair for you!??" I watch him while upside with my hair flipped over as he proudly holds the gun that blows hot air... I'm always a little afraid but it's so dang cute!!
I'm not sure how many times his dad has looked at me and said, "he's so badass!" At that point, I feel like I made this sweet bulldozer of a boy that will some day be bigger than me, tougher than me and probably way cooler too. But I'm ok with that because it means he'll grow up like his daddy!I have two very loving boys in my house and am so grateful for them. I'm very excited to see what things 3 brings this little big boy of mine. He's always interested in tools in the garage, snowmobiling, playing with stickers, driving toy cars on the walls or down the bannister and saying big words like hilarious pronounced as "hee-wear-we-us!" I also love how he agrees with me saying "exactly, mom" when I am reprimanding Allison for being a preteen brat before he tells her to go to her room. He's usually on my side when she's being sassy and at that moment he becomes my favorite kid.
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