The Determinator

Dear Livia,

It’s amazing how determined you are to have things your own way. It’s normal for kids your age to fight for independence, but you have taken it to a whole new level. You’re not just determined, you’re The Determinator!

  • You put up such a stink about doing things independently that one of the most common phrases heard around here lately is “Fine, then you do it!”
  • You will not let us brush your teeth, not for anything. You insist on doing it yourself. Unfortunately, your way of brushing is to suck off all the toothpaste (fluoride-free, of course) and then chew the brush. You could do this for hours if we’d let you.
  • No matter how often you’re told not to “chooch” on things, you do. You’ll eat anything that isn’t food (food you’re rather particular about, actually). You’ll eat toys, random scraps of paper, spangles from your shirt (necessitating a doctor-advised trip to the hospital for X-rays), crayons, and anything else you can get your little hands on.
  • You’re an active girl and you don’t like to sit still. Perhaps that’s why you’ve never been much interested in reading. We have never stopped trying to get you hooked on books, though. Now that you and Marshall share a room, you follow his bedtime schedule, which includes books. You insist on choosing a book of your own, and we are happy to comply. Of course, the reading must proceed according to your plan. We must sit where you want to sit and go at your chosen pace, which changes from night to night. And you must be allowed to put the book back afterward.
  • One of my favorite memories from Halloween is what a determined trick-or-treater you were. You trekked down those dark and slippery roads like a real trooper, ever eager to reach the next house, whether it meant walking across wet lawns or coming face-to-face with barking dogs. Nothing fazed you. Once you understood the rules of the game (go to the door and collect candy in your bucket), you could not be stopped. At one house, a woman who was unprepared for trick-or-treaters wanted to give you guys M&Ms from a bag. I wasn’t happy about that. I didn’t want loose candy from a stranger, nor did I want you to eat candy right then, so I tried to pull you away from the door. You could not be budged until you had received your share of the candy, and I needed your Auntie Jeanne’s help to get it away from you.

It is so hard not to spoil you, because when you get what you want, you reward us with smiles like sunshine. Yes, those smiles of yours are almost irresistible. Hmm. It seems The Determinator has found her second super power, the first being that wicked strong bite. For what it’s worth, I prefer the smiles.

Love,

Mom

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