Our DS (now 13) was just fine at 2--no problems. But then 4 hit very hard. He could throw all those years of listening to me reason back at me with full force. He spoke in long complicated sentences, used the tone I used with him, but (being only 4) didn't actually make any sense. Then I would explain back to him why he didn't make sense and he would explain back to me that he was right and then he would start to shout and then I would start to shout and then we both broke down in tantrums. He was a master at bringing me to his level!
Not sure if that is your future, but in case it is, I just thought I'd warn you. LOL.
After 5, though, we have basically done really well with having thoughtful discussions. Even at 13, we do OK at least 80% of the time.
