My Best Friend

I admit yesterday's post was pretty rough, but it can't be all sunshine and roses on here.  Otherwise it wouldn't be real.  I've had a couple people comment that I need to say no to my kids more.  Believe me when I tell you I do say no, a lot.  An incredible amount.  However, it gets tiring saying no all the time and after awhile I get worn down.  Charlie doesn't hear it as much as doesn't get asked as much and doesn't have to say no as much and that's why they like him better.  But they are with me all day long.  Well one of them is anyway.

Amanda is constantly asking for snacks, candy, anything that is not breakfast, lunch or dinner.  The pediatrician loves to tell me how she weighs too much and how she's headed towards obesity but I cannot get this kid to stop snacking instead of eating meals.  I have some control over it when she eats lunch at school, because she is trapped and it's the only food she has.  On days when she doesn't eat at school she wants to eat something on the way home from school and then doesn't want lunch.  When she finally is hungry she still doesn't want lunch.  When she asks for a snack I'll suggest she have lunch instead and she'll respond that she doesn't want lunch she wants a snack.  It's not just food, it's the type of food she wants.  It's gotten a little better over time but it is a serious drain.

I'm not sure where she has picked it up, either from Andy or Sarah or just from being a smart little girl, but now she has a put a little twist on to her requests.

Amanda:  Mommy, can I have a snack?

Me:  No.

Amanda:  Please, I'll be your best friend.

Me:  No.

Amanda:  I'll love you the best.

Me:  No.

Amanda:  I'll hug you and kiss you and love you.

Me:  No.

Amanda:  Please?!?  I'll do whatever you ask.

And it goes on and on and on.  Do you see why sometimes after awhile I just give in and tell her to get her snack just to shut her up?  Not every time, but every now and then.  I can say no five million times and she will not let up.  I realize that if I give in even once that just perpetuates the problem, but it is exhausting.

On the plus side, at least I have one friend here.  Too bad she's four years old.