Some time ago G started emphatically ing me when things did not go as she pleased.

Me: bedtime
G:
Me: stop beating on your sister
G:
Me: no more popsicles
G:

She is so adamant about it, she might as well just flip me the bird. And in my head i basically hear her saying “eff off Daddy!“, which makes me a little mad. but i think its ok for her to have opinions and express frustration, and since she knows her tone is confrontational i think its ok for her to get a sampling of the sort of responses that is likely to incite.   She’s gotta learn that words can be weapons.

Alana has picked up on this all too quickly.   She doesn’t have the hostility, but just as much willfulness.   Its uncanny when you tell her to stop digging up potted plants and she replies with .

Naturally the 2 of them turn their tongues on each other, with escalation.

G:
Alana:
G:
Alana:
G:
Alana: