On a baby its cute

So I'm watching my baby transform before my eyes into a strong willed, independent little being. Now Jess is a few months shy of being one, but I can already see the personality shining. You take a toy from her and she hits the floor and screams at you. And heaven for bid you are sitting on the ground with her when you take the item, because she will attack you. There is grabbing, pushing off with her feet, you name it and this little spitfire is all over. It's hard not to smile watching this little person claw their way up and over your body to get at what she wants. But at what age does that "oh how cute, she is so persistence" turn into "Oh my I have a problem child on my hands".

Alex gets her feelings hurt and storms off to slam the door. Ugh.
Jess slaps her adorable baby hands down on the hardwood floor to make a point. Ah, too cute.
Gabby screams at you if she can't find the words to express herself. Ugh.
Jess screams and throws up those cute little squishy arms over her head. Yep, it's cute.

It would appear what is cute on a baby isn't so cute on a big girl. But is that really fair. You want your kids to be strong willed, persistent, and inquisitive. However, they are hell to raise and you spend the majority of your parenting time trying to beat those traits out of them. And at what age is it no longer cute? We give babies all this wiggle room because they are just babies. But in theory isn't this the time we should be beginning to reprogram all those independent tendencies out of them. Instead we sit back watch them scream and think 'isn't that adorable'.

Now am I going to go home and smile when my six year old slams the door in my face or gives me a little push because she is mad. Well no. But when Jess gets older, I'm going to remind everyone how much we loved her spirit when she was a baby. And maybe it will help to remind me how much I love the spirit my older children have. I may struggle raising them, but what awesome powerful adults they will be.