Two of a Kind

Kristin stayed home today, she was up all night coughing so we let her watch tv all through the night. Whenever this happens, I just put her in the living room in front of the tv, cozy her up with a blanket and pillow, make sure she has a snack - dry cereal, goldfish or something, some juice, and I head off to bed. She watches tv, dozes off and on, and coughs all through the night. Triaminic must have caffeine in it, because I know when I give it to her she will be alert for the next 6 hours.

So, because she was awake all night, I took her friend to school and picked her up and Kristin slept through most of it. They played good today, there was little fighting. Mostly because Kristin didn't have energy, so she slept a lot while her friend watched tv. They played a bit but it was a mellow day.

We are finishing up week 2 of having her friend over all day and I've learned some more background which helps me to understand how things play out here. Two strong divas in the house, it hasn't been pretty this last week and a half. The battles have been cruel.

Well, her friend grew up in an environment of gangsters. They lived out of town, and moved into town to be closer to work. When they lived out of town was the different environment. So, Kristin's friend, who is in kindergarten too, had peers who had parents who were in gangs. This influenced the kids, which influenced her. She would have her arm twisted in school, with the other kids telling her, "are you going to cry yet?".

Ouch. Now I understand and have more sympathy for her defiance. Kristin has defiance because she was a single child who I pampered. So now there are two defiant divas battling for everything from this or that toy to a hand to hold, to a seat in the living room.

But I have a better understanding of things now. And I talk to them and let them know, 'hey, we are here together everyday. Let's make the best of it and have fun, isn't that what we want?'

It seems to be working. Kristin's friend is coming around (willing to make concessions) faster than Kristin.

We'll get there. It's been a rough two weeks, but we are making good ground.

These two divas are strong willed. Hillary Clinton like. And they are starting to really bond. And stick together. It will be formidable.