It all started innocently enough. I went out, to get some dirt for my garden, and some munchies for my lent-meatless diet. I came home and SO was piling on the chicken and rice, for Munchkin and he. I chatted while they ate. All friendly and happy. We started conversing and before long the Eldest came up. How she borrowed Munchkins favorite leggings, got makeup on them and now it wont come off. Instead of going into a tirade against Winona SD18, who is visiting grandparents this week, I said something new and different: "Well you know your sister by now, she hasn't changed much, so you pretty much know what to expect from her. So its really on YOU, now. You need to be strong and stand up for yourself. Tell her she owes you some new leggings!"

Her response was surprising for one so young: "But everytime I stand up to her she crushes me down and I lose my confidence all over again!" What do you say to someone who is being pushed around and controlled by her older, more aggressive sister? How do you help the kidling handle the complexity of standing up to a bully older sibling sucessfuly?

Then, when they were finished and were still chatting, I quipped - "oh! so who will do the dishes?"
Another surprising answer: "YOU will CLove!"
Um, No. I did not make the dinner, nor eat the dinner, nor use said dishes. Ahem, why don't YOU darling princess do them? Her response was 'well CLove what do YOU do?'

My response: "Oh - you want to have THIS conversation? Really? Ok, then lets do this. I work all day long in a windowless room. Then I come home, and most times prepare dinner and clean. I take care of the outside too, doing yardwork. I take care of the dog (belongs to SO), I take care of YOUR bunny, when you are at BMs, I do laundry, then I clean some more. Does that answer your question?"

It really saddens me that Munchkin SD10, is taking so much after her sister. Not wanting to help, arguing when asked.

My response made her cry. SO backed me up in not saying my response was wrong, he also said she should get used to doing dishes...but then he went ahead and did all cleanup himself, while she went into her room to cry. I hate that. Nip that in the bud, is my thought. Have kidling do chores now, so its not such a shock to the system later...
But SO feels bad when Munchkin cries, and no matter who is at fault, it is always my fault, I fear. Munchkin always seems to use tears when she knows that she has done something wrong. Like when she stole someones animal jam video game prizes from their account. Cries and then begs me not to tell...

I just hope she doesn't fall down the Rabbit Hole that Winona SD18 has. She is normally SUCH a sweet kid!