Steering Her Own Course, Daddy Lashed to the Wheel, and Other Metaphors Sundry and Nautical

Elaina’s packing Play-Doh into a can.  It’s way more than will fit…as I’ve told her a number of times by now. 

John:  “That’s not going to fit.  You’ll never get the lid on.”

Elaina:  continues to pack and pack and pack Play-Doh over the top of the can.

John:  “Well, let me know when you get that lid on….  You can listen to me now or listen to me later.”

Elaina: (quietly, as I’m walking away)  “I’ll listen to you later.”

So, my question is this:  she’s two and a half and already chooses her own way, rather than let the shining beacon of Daddy’s wisdom guide her…um…safely through the shoals of…um…a life of untidy Play-Doh….  Okay, maybe that’s more dramatic than the situation warrants, but my point is, shouldn’t a two year old just give me the benefit of the doubt and assume I know what I’m talking about?  And if not now, then what about when she’s 15?

Maybe Elaina herself has the answer.  Heidi had a similar interaction with her and finally said, “I give up.”  To which Elaina replied by singing a song from Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!   In her cute little girl voice, she sang, “Don’t give up.  Never give up.”