I agree with you wholeheartedly. When someone tries to provoke us, we have to assert and defend/enforce our boundaries.
Silly or not, I sometimes have the same problems with inanimate objects. It's really hard to take a deep breath sometimes. At least for me.
I feel you on your whole post, and I especially understand the last paragraph - abuse is a very, very hard and painful thing to unlearn. I think it's pretty near impossible not to internalize it. I think it's pretty awesome and amazing that you're so aware of yourself and that you implement that awareness in your relationship with your child. I have no doubt that it can be difficult and annoying (provocative even ;)), but as someone whose mother wasn't able to practice that level of awareness and thoughtfulness, I really can't say enough how much I appreciate, respect and admire your hard work. I think it's some of the most important work a person can do and it's actions and behaviours like yours that really make me feel hopeful and positive about family/parenting.
