Sari and Macie were both given ring pops by their daycare providers the other day. Nothing unusual. They typically get a “treat” at the end of the week if they have been good.
Usually I slip these weekly treats in my pocket before the girls see them so they don’t whine and fuss over them before dinner, but this time I let them take them and place them in their pockets.
As we were pulling out of the driveway, Sari is pondering in her seat staring at the packaged ring pop:
“Dad, I can’t stop thinking about this ring pop.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “I can hold the ring pop for you so you don’t have to think about it or worry about it.”
“But Dad, you can’t make me stop thinking about it!”
It frustrated me at the moment because she is right… I can’t really make her do anything. Sure I can still (for the time being) pick her up and force her (because she is still small enough), but it is only obedience on the outside and not obedience on the inside.
I realized at that moment that Sari is now wise to her will and she is testing pitting that will against another’s will (mine). I realized that Amanda and I are going to have to start “training” Sari’s will instead of just controlling it.
Parenting is about to get even more interesting!