2 is the number for Opposites

I am on my third round of the terrible twos.  Having two brothers before him, Finn has to try harder to break Mommy down, because Mommy has way more tricks up her sleeve than she did 2 kids ago.  Enter in, the rule of opposites.  Two year olds love to assert themselves, speak their mind and feel like they are making their own decisions.  I say feel, because the bright side about the terrible twos, is that they are only 2, and therefore quite easy to trick.  So when Finn doesn't feel like eating his dinner, I simply tell him not to.  This trick is best used with a big smile on your face so it is not confused with a real 'NO'.  All throughout our meal, I tell Finn not to eat his dinner and he tells me he can and then he does.  This has been working for weeks now, on everything from eating to giving hugs.  Even last night, during what is normally a long bed time routine of  Mommy and Daddy telling him to lay down and be quiet- we pulled out the rule of opposites, told him not to lay down, and definitely don't close you eyes...  and it worked!  Now I am sure this will stop being effective soon enough, but for now I am thankful for every meal and bedtime we get through without a war of wits.