I want THAT child

Today was parent/teacher conferences at school . Perry and I go and hear glowing reports about Phoebe. She's a great helper, she listens well, she is a great example to the other kids, she does great work, I have no problem with her, I'm going to miss her next year, says her teacher.

We are pleased parents and leave feeling so wonderful that our child is well behaved. In public.

Then we come home.

Phoebe does her homework, then goes out in the backyard to play. She's out there for quite awhile.
She comes in, and I play cards with her and Abby. All is calm.

Then she asks me if I can take her to the park. I say no.

Why?

It's too cold and windy.

It is not.

It is too.

Give me one "bad" reason. (as she puts it)

I don't want to. It's cold. It's late. You have to take a shower. It's windy. It's getting dark. I gave her many reasons.

Then to be not so mean and somewhat fair, I said I would take her if she could guess the right card that I picked. (I had one in 52 chances that she would be right)

She was wrong. Abby was wrong. I even gave them several chances.

No park.

Let the whining begin. and go on and on and on.

She even tried tears and the "you don't love me" line.

At last it was NO and she went up to shower. I wanted to brush her hair, but she was still in a mood and let me hear it.

So I tickled her.

That worked a little. She got in the shower, still talking about that park. Then she said, that since she got such a glowing report from school, that she should be able to do anything she wants over Easter vacation. Ya, sure.

After her shower, she asked if she could play in the bathtub.

YES! She thinks she got her way, only I'm the one who gets peace and quiet while she and Abby play in the tub.

I don't know whos child we took home from school, but I want the Phoebe that is in school all day, being so wonderful, helpful, listens well, and is a good example to other children.