He's not even two and already it's terrible.

Please tell me that this is just a phase. Little Boy is rotten, absolutely horrible. We went to a story time at a library this morning and while we managed to make it through without having to leave, it was one of the longest half hours of my life. Little Girl behaved quite nicely, showing interest in the story and sitting quietly for 90% of the time. Little Boy was obsessed with inanimate objects. The cushions to sit on. The podium. The electrical outlet. The movie screen. The door handle and lock. He did not pay attention to the story at all and had a meltdown every time I pulled him away from an object. The lovely lady reading the story would save us by focusing her attentions on Little Boy to engage him long enough to stop the tantrum. Which worked until he was off to the next inanimate object and subsequent meltdown.

It was embarrassing. I did not like my son very much this morning. At home afterwards his behavior didn’t improve. He was especially defiant and difficult. I feel like I spend all day following him around telling him to stop doing things he already knows he’s not supposed to do. I was almost in tears by the time nap time rolled around.

Little Girl isn’t like this - at all. Sure, she tests boundaries and misbehaves, but she understands the word “no” and with appropriate encouragement/punishment, will listen. I have yet to find a discipline technique that makes any difference with Little Boy. Spanking? Tried it, he couldn’t care less. Time outs? He won’t stay put anywhere, and if I hold him on my lap that’s a reward to him, not punishment at all. Redirection? Nope. He goes right back to what you’ve removed him from. Over and over. It is exhausting.

I feel like a failure because I can’t seem to bend this little boy’s will to mine. Tell me, is this normal?

Sigh.