I have become convinced that my two and half year old daughter is progressively implementing a maniacal plot to drive me insane. Clearly, she has figured out, with me out of the picture she can rule the household with ease.  Daily, it’s like existing in a loop of “Who’s on First” the old Abbott and Costello act.  (If you’re not familiar with it check it out HERE). I will ask her what cereal she wants for breakfast and then upon delivery she will protest and screech as if I just served her a bowl of dried bugs and insist that she did not want THAT cereal. Then she’ll look up at me sweetly and smile, while simultaneously rolling her eyes (I thought they weren’t supposed to do that until they were teenagers!?).   We will repeat this same scenario all day long with clothes, shoes, bags, toys, snacks…..it’s endless.  In between these “you did/I didn’t” decision making showdowns, she will repeatedly call “Mama” and when I respond she will stare at me blankly.  I will ask her “what do you want Addison?” in an increasingly agitated voice. Still silence.  Then, just to change it up a bit, about every third or fourth time she will say something, but she will say it very quietly and mumble.  At this point, I will stupidly inquire further, recognizing the annoyed tone of my first response and trying to rectify the situation by sweetly saying “yes, darling, what do you need? Can you speak up, Mommy can’t understand you?”.  She will grin (wickedly) and then again repeat the mumbled sentence lowering her volume even further.  At this point,  I begin to wonder if it’s too soon to open a bottle a wine for the day, really 9 a.m. is okay right, it’s the same thing as having a mimosa with brunch on Sunday?

While I suspect her behavior is nothing out of the ordinary for a toddler  considering parenting books refer to the stage as the more common  ”terrible twos”, but also  ”the tyrannical twos” ” the toddler terrorists” and “the only child maker” to name just a few.   However, I couldn’t help but allow curiosity (and google) to get the better of me and I happened to look up common traits of sociopaths.  Is it just me, or for those who are living in or lived through the toddler years, do these seem eerily familiar?

Top 8 Traits of Sociopaths: 

1.  Lack of Empathy
They often see other people as objects for their personal gratification.

2. Shallow Emotions
They may often put on short-lived, dramatic displays of emotion, such as fits of rage, only to quickly revert to a calm state moments later.

3. Lying and Manipulativeness
Completely indifferent to the possibility of being caught in a lie and when caught in a lie, they are rarely perplexed or embarassed. Without hesitating, they will simply rework the tale so that the lie appears consistent.

4. Impulsivity and Irresponsibility
Impulsive by nature. They do not deeply recognize the risk of being caught, disbelieved or injured as a result of their behavior. They seek quick satisfaction and thrills. Their crimes are often spur-of-moment affairs.

5. Low Tolerance for Boredom
An excessive need for excitement and stimulation, frequently break rules, commit crimes, and risk their safety for the sake of cheap thrills

6. Poor Behavior Controls
 Notorious for hair-trigger tempers, highly reactive to perceived insults and slights, and throw tantrums over trivialities

7. Remorselessness
Even when aware of the consequences, they frequently shrug off all responsibility for what happens to their victims and even to themselves and they often blame their victims for their crimes.

8. Egocentricity
They think they are the center of the universe and see themselves as superior beings.

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