My Daughter, the Parent

I'm sure it's just a stage. Otherwise, things could get real interesting when she gets older. But, for now, she believes she is an equal part of the decision-making. Actually, it's a little more complex than that. She believes she is the decision-maker. The difficult part is that she isn't doing it out of ill-intent or spite. She simply doesn't know her place in the family hierarchy. I can't condemn her for doing something she sees Mommy and Daddy do. Where do you want to go for dinner? I don't know? Chipotles? *I wanna go to Chick-Fil-A* No, not tonight. Mommy and Daddy are talking. *No! You are on time-out!* Uh, sweetie, you don't put Mommy and Daddy on time out. I don't think it works that way.

Well, maybe it does. She puts her stuffed animals to bed. Changes their diaper. Feeds them. And disciplines them as needed. I've gotten a few disparaging looks from parents when she recommends nap-time to other kids. I shrug. The kids didn't have to listen. She just likes being in charge. Really, I have no idea what I'm doing.

I'm thinking a puppy.