Connor Jekyll and Connor Hyde

Those of you who have spent more than five minutes in my presence have heard me complain about how difficult it is to be Connor's mom. Connor is a special kid. Special as in wear you out, make you cry, loose your temper, and force you to throw your hands up in the air in desperation all before breakfast special. I'm not going to say he is the most challenging kid in the world to raise, but I dare say that if there was a reality TV show challenge for tough kids to parent, we would do pretty well.

When Connor wants to be difficult he can be really difficult. For example a few days ago we had a conversation that went something like this.

• M - Connor, I don't want you to play with ghosts anymore.
• C - Why?
• M - Because ghosts aren't real and if they were they would be like demons and they would come from the devil.
• C - But they aren't real, so they aren't like demons and don't come from the devil.
• M - But if they were real, they would be bad.
• C - Unicorns aren't real, are they form the devil?
• M - No, they aren't real.
• C - But if they were real, would they be from the devil?
• M - Just stop playing with ghosts because I'm the Mom and I said so!

Yeah - effective parenting, right? And, you can kind of see where my whole reality TV show thing is coming from too, can't you?

Today we were able to spend time with a much rarer and highly appreciated (and rewarded) side of Connor. Just as when he wants to be awful hard to raise, he can do it with flair and gusto, when Connor is feeling like being a really good kid, he is an amazingly good kid. It's all manners and politeness, all thank you, yes Mom, sure Dad, I love you Sophie, silly riddles, and hugs. He is truly a pleasure to be around when he is in this kind of caring and thoughtful mood.

I love both sides of Connor, but I do wonder from time to time what it is that makes him think that for just one day he is going to take it easy on us.