A parenting dilemma

One of the most difficult parts of parenting is knowing when certain behaviors cross the line. At what point does creative, exploratory fun turn into a dangerous or inappropriate situation?

Allison has been pretending to be a kitty lately. It's often annoying, but I let her do it because I figure I'm "letting her use her imagination" and "engaging in creative play" and all that other "good parenting stuff." Most often I want to tell her to sit down and knock off the "mrowwwww" crap. Especially when I'm trying to teach sharing time for the last time as primary president. (That's another post, hallelujah!) I try to keep the kitty time to when we're at home, but even that is getting to be too much.

Sunday night was a good example. She had done the kitty thing the whole time we were at a convert baptism. Imagine trying to feel the spirit with an obnoxious 4 year old kneeling in the back row, "mrooowwww! hissss! mrrrrrroooowwwwww!" By the time we had fought the bedtime battle and read stories, she was still going strong. And begging to sleep in a box like a real kitty. After a few minutes of arguing, I gave up. This is what I came back to, an hour later.





After a good laugh and a "serves you right if you wake up with a neckache" we moved her into her bed. The lesson learned? Never argue with a 4 year old.

So go ahead and turn us in to Child Protective Services for bad parenting. Just beware - they might appoint you temporary guardian!