What A Big Boy

I know this may be a strange thing to write about. However, Marshall has the best balance of any just turned 2 year old I have ever seen. (Granted my exposure has been low) He is already walking up and down our steps (16 of them) without holding on to anything and he loves jumping up, down, and off of the bleachers at the soccer field without a fall. I am sure that will happen soon but for now, I am impressed (Doesn't take much, obviously!).
He is also talking like crazy and getting quite bossy. I don't know where that comes from! For example, I have been reading this book titled 'Happiest Toddler on the Block'. It is a great book on how to manage temper tantrums and any other ill will your 1-4 year old decides to dole out. The only thing I do not agree with is all the talk about no spanking....spanking makes kids violent...blah blah blah. Midnote: The first time out chair generation is officially grown up and we live in the most violent time ever!!! But, that is another blog at another time, I think my head just started to spin.
Back on track....one of the suggestions for derailing a tantrum is mimicking their anger. Say they are screaming for a cookie and you know damn well they don't need another one. Instead of just saying no, you should say....
"Marshall wants a cookie, he wants a cookie NOOOOWWWWW!!!"(said emphatically and repeatedly. After the child starts to calm down and look at you like you have 3 heads you say..
"But no cookie right now, maybe after dinner"
Believe it or not, this works about 80% of the time. I think it renders the child speechless to see their parent put on in such a display.
Back to the bossiness.......Because I have been doing this and because my child is extremely intelligent (ha ha) he is now piecing things together and it goes something like this.

Marshall: Mommy, I want cookie. (no tantrum)
Me: You can't have cookie, you already had two! (Still no tantrum)
Marshall: I want cookie NNOOOOWWWW!!

Now, he is mimicking me, mimicking him!! Talk about a total backfire. He even raised his voice and furrows his brow. This is quite hilarious in a child his age and I am sure my laughing is not helping the situation.