Miss Independent

Kaylas favorite new word. She has gone from an agreeable, delightful child to "Miss Independent" over night. It is the "Mother's Curse", imposed upon me by my mother. You see, my most renowned expression from my childhood was, "Mother, I'd rather do it myself."

And now... a very abbreviated version of my own infamous expression is now rining in my ears, out of the mouth of my less-than-2-year-old daughter.

She is climbing the steps to the slide on the playground.
Mom: "Kayla, let Mommy help you."
Kayla: "Self."

She is spilling milk all over herself at the dinner table.
Mom: "Kayla, let Mommy help you."
Kayla: "Self."

She is dragging the brush upside down and backwards through her hair, messing it up even more than when she started.
Mom: "Kayla, let Mommy help you."
Kayla: "Self."

You get the picture. I can't complain about having a strong, independent child. Not when I think about it. But during her moments of stubborn antidisestablishmentarianism... it is not so easy to be patient and understanding.

Thanks, Mom. Your curse is working beautifully. Sorry I was such a pain in the butt!