Battle of Wills

Eva is definitely her own person now, with her own ideas of what she wants, and a recognizable temper when her plans are thwarted. Tantrums are becoming more common now, and though I refuse to reward them and never give her anything until she calms down and asks nicely, they still persist. I think we're getting a preview of the upcoming "terrible twos". One day this week was particularly trying. Eva brought me a little bowl, asking for a snack, so I filled it with cheerios and sat her down in the living room. Within minutes she was back with and empty bowl, so I knew she had dumped it out. I told her no, picked up the cheerios and put them back, and handed them to her. She started to try and dump them again, and I told her no and put them on the table. Then she went and got them, and dumped them on the floor. This time I smacked her hand and she cried, but she went back and did it again a few minutes later. It occurred to me that she wanted something else, so I filled it with raisins instead. No dice. She immediately dumped it out on the floor. It went on like this throughout the day, every time she wanted a snack. She'd try to dump it, I'd say no, she'd look straight at me and disobey, I'd discipline her, she'd cry, then go right back and do it again. It was so frustrating and emotionally exhausting. I hate being the bad guy...why does she force me to do it? I know I have to be consistent, because if I give in I'm only teaching her that if she pushes hard enough, she'll get what she wants. That will only make it more miserable for both of us next time around.