Independence?

I know that, overall, it is a good problem to have, but Brishen has always been big about asking permission for EVERYTHING. He asked me for permission each and every time he needed to use the bathroom until he was about 8 or 9, even when his 2-year-old sister never felt the need to ask. (Just go!) He still asks permission for lots of things that he really could just do.

Today he was asking me permission to do something that he knew he had permission to do without asking. I told him that I need him to show more independence and make up his own mind. A few minutes later I asked him to go get the mail out of the mailbox. He sat down, showed me his mischievous smile, and told me that he was being independent by not doing what I asked him to do. That is not exactly what I meant! It stinks when they are smart enough to turn your own words against you.

By the way, he did go get the mail.