It has begun already...

When Anna-Kate poops she gets two gummy treats (her gummy bear vitamins).

So, this morning she had pooped and said she wanted a lollipop instead (it is fruit juice, no added sugar and has calcium and zinc added...it is what she gets if she poops a second time in a day). I said no, you get bear treats now, lollipop later if you poop again. She flipped out crying. I told her tantrums were not allowed, to pull herself together and then walked away. A moment later she walks up to me (I was sitting) gave me a huge hug and said, "please mommy. Please may I have a lollipop" then gave me a huge kiss. Well, now I couldn't oblige her because that is straight up manipulation! Hoping it was a fluke, I stuck to my guns and gave her the bear treats.

A moment ago I was putting her down for her nap. Ryan goes down at 12:45 and she goes down at 1:30, so we have special "girl time" every afternoon before nap. She had chosen to spend it playing outside (flipping out every time a real or imaginary bug made it's presence known!!) and then reading stories. I told her I would read two stories from her Bible book. I read about creation and about Noah. She then said she wanted to read one to me. I said OK. She turned to the story about Moses taking the Israelites to the Promised Land and God giving them manna. Unfortunately, she said, "umm, I forgot the words. You need to read to me instead." I said no, that I had read two stories already and it was time for bed. "Please mommy, Pleeeease read me story about Moses!" then planted a huge kiss on me. Had to look away because I was laughing.

She just doesn't understand that blatant manipulation like that can't be obliged or I lose and things get harder the next day. Oh well, she'll learn. :)