Recently our family adopted a dog.  And not just any dog, a 60 pound, 7 year old Boxer, named Flea.  My husband & I drove 2 hours to pick up Flea from his training camp on Saturday.  We had to meet with Flea’s trainers so that they could give us some training ourselves.  When I first met Flea, my first thought was, “I’m supposed to show him I’m the Alpha Male?  Me, a 5′1″, petite woman? ”  Flea even looked at me puzzled when the trainer handed me his leash.  As if he was thinking,  ”You’ve gotta to be kidding me, when did kids become the Alpha Male!”  Nonetheless, the trainer insisted I could do it and kept repeating to me that it was important I let Flea know who was boss - the alpha male.  And of course, my hubby nodded in agreement.  (I learned, Boxers, in particular, are very stubborn dogs…and Flea, being the old man he is, is set in his ways.  Thus, the importance of keeping with the training and letting him know who’s boss.)  Feeling how important it was and with the supervision of what seemed like 20 people, under the guidance of the trainer, I instructed Flea to “Sit”.  It took about 6-7 commands of my ”Sits” before Flea decided he would sit for me. (I think Flea threw me a bone, knowing I was under pressure.)  The trainer emphasized to me, “Never Let Him Win.  No Matter How Long It Takes.  He Never Wins.”  I was also instructed I needed to be “sterner” with my voice.  Eventually, we were able to bring Flea home.  For the past few days I’ve been repeating to myself the new mantra of  “He Never Wins” over and over again.  In doing so, I realized the same philosophy could be applied to children.  Often times, I am guilty of “giving in” because its much easier than the alternative.  With a new found energy and “Alpha Male syndrome”, I decided the “Never Let Him Win” mantra would not only be applied to Flea, but would also be applied to my kids (”Never Let Them Win”).  Of course, I had the opportunity to apply my new philosophy all too soon.  My almost 2 year old son & I went to Target to pick up some household necessities.  About 10 minutes into our shopping trip my son decided that the cart is no longer where he wanted to be and instead wanted out.  He held his arms out and repeatedly said ”Out, Peez” (Out, please).  Of course, I give in…but with instructions that he must hold my hand.  He reluctantly nods and gives me an almost silent  ”Kay” (okay)  and I let him down.  As you can probably guess, the handholding lasted about 10 seconds.  I soon found myself inpatient, frustrated, and  out of control as I listened to myself throughout the store saying, “Hold my hand.  Wait for mommy.  Where are you?  Get back here.”  Yes, those parents you see with their kids running wild in the stores - That was me.   I reminded myself of my new mantra, “He Never Wins.”  Yup, this was my time to show not the “Alpha Male” but the “Alpha Mommy”.  I pick up my son put him back in the cart & immediately he begins to scream at the top of his lungs.  I try to hold my composure as I smile at the “looky loos” gasping at us as they pass by and tell my son as calmly as I can that he was not listening to mommy so in the cart he had to go.  His howling continues and my patience is long gone.  “He Never Wins” is all I remind myself.  So, I grab my son & my purse and immediately head to the car.  The howling has stopped as my son realizes that something is up and mommy is not happy.  I put him in the car seat and don’t say a word, I see his eyes gazing right up at me and he sits silently as I start the car.  I drive away feeling proud of myself for holding true to my “He Never Wins” mantra…even giving myself a pat on the back.  But then suddenly, I realize I am still going to have to go back and do my shopping!  Darn It!  Who’s the Winner Now?  So much for the Alpha Mommy…