Ive heard that problem solving skills start at a very young age.  My son has proven this to me.  I was in the kitchen yesterday preparing to make homemade pizza.  I was gathering the ingredients for the dough.  He watched as I did so.  When my back was turned, he slipped into the pantry and grabbed the bag of marshmallows.  No big deal, theyre within his reach for a reason.  Dough prep is done and in the bread maker to mix the dough.  I then get ready to work on the sauce.  Kid-0, Adult-0.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

  I began with a canned sauce and decided to add my own flavor to it.  I grab a cutting board and begin to cut some onion.  My son wanted to get a closer look.  He pulled up one of his kid chairs and put it next to the bar stool to climb up onto the counter.  Kid-1, Adult-0.

  I grabbed him off of the counter and put his chair back in the living room.  Kid-1, Adult-1.

  He grabbed his chair and did it again.  He smiles at me while standing on the counter.  Kid-2, Adult-1.

  I put him back on the floor and put his chair on the porch.  Kid-2, Adult-2.

  Back to chopping onion.  I see a shadow on the cutting board.  Looking up, I see him smiling at me.  He had climbed up the bar stool like a monkey.  Kid-3, Adult-2.

  I put him back on the floor and bribed him with some pepperoni.  I grabbed the barstools and stacked them one on top of the other.  Kid-3, Adult-3.

  Back to work.  While adding garlic I hear the sound of plastic being dragged across the floor.  Wanting to see his problem solving skills,    I just watch.  He pulled his kid table up to the counter and walked away.  He came back with his step stool and put it on top of his table.  He then used both of these to climb back onto the counter.  Kid-5 (extra point for his problem solving skills), Adult-3.

  The first round of bribery worked for a little bit, so I give it another go.  I put some shredded cheese and pepperoni in a bowl for him.  I hand it to him and he placed it on his table.  He pushed his table back to where it belongs.  He looked at the table for a second, and then looked back at me.  I cant figure out what he wants now.  He grabbed me by my hand and took me to the front door.  He pushed my hand toward the door knob.  I open the door.  He walked out and grabbed his chair.  He carried it back to his table and sat there eating while I finished the prep work.  Kid 50 (a whole lot of extra points for his thought process), Adult-1 (took points away from myself).

  Im proud of my son for his problem solving skills.  Now how do I deal with being outsmarted by my son?