Sass

Uh oh. Jada is entering an extended period of sassiness. She talks back to both Amy and me, refuses to share her toys with Aaron, and is generally walking to her own beat. Amy and me are toeing the line, letting her know who's in charge and enforcing the consequences we state will result should a particular disobedience continue. In an ideal world, this bravado gets channeled into what the world would recognize as leadership; in other words, her confidence is not squelched, but neither does she think she can get away with not listening to authority. So far, it's an uneasy truce, with Jada accepting our punishments but stewing, and Amy and I not bending and not quite happy with our little girl. But this too is part of growing up: a 4-year-old, as well as her ever-learning parents.