Yeah, that's right, I bought my child's love...So what?

Okay, I admit it. I totally bought Gillian a bike so that she would be happy and love me again and it gets worse. She has really handled Lincoln's birth pretty well. She loves him and wants to help me take care of him. We have had issues though. The problems we have encountered since Lincoln include two things: listening and sleeping. Where did my sweet girl go?

If you know anything about Gillian, you know that she is independent and doesn't like being told what to do...a really good character trait for her but not great for me as her parent. I admit that I have too often lost patience with her and escalated the situation. Seriously though, the kid has turned down right defiant. Don't get me wrong, when she wants to do something, she does it without arguement, but if she doesn't get ready for a fight. Sleeping has been an issue since he was born, she just doesn't want to do it. She needs a nap, that is for sure. But I think more than nap time it is going to bed at night that has gotten completely out of control. She will stay up until 10pm and sometimes later. We have the same routine and try to get her down at the same time every night. She just fights us for hours. It has gotten ridiculous.

Lately though she has just gotten really mean towards me. She never listens, hits and yells at me. I know that she is mad I don't have as much time for her and I have to put her off quite often to take care of Lincoln. I understand why she hates me, I just haven't figured out how to get her to love me again, or at least be civil. So yesterday we had to go to Walmart to get some stuff. She asked me for a big bouncy ball and I said if she was good in the store that I would. We get over there and she sees the bikes. At the same time, we both think it is a great idea for her to try one out. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I get her on and she immediately takes off. So there I am with Lincoln asleep in the cart and Gillian aiming in the opposite direction to take someone out with her bike. Poor Lincoln lost out and I left him to catch his sister. I think to myself (after I have her subdued) what if I buy her this bike? It will be great exercise and it is cute, yadda yadda yadda. I then realize that I was crazy becasue she immediately throws a fit. She wants a bike and a new helmet and the darned fishy game. I think she is crazy and we were out of there with a big green bouncy ball. I neglceted to realize I had put a pirate ship bath toy thingy in the cart and that is bought as well. We go home and I tell Jake about the bike and the fishy game that she wanted and about how she was a brat and there was no way I would buy it for her, she already got a ball and a bath toy. 3 hours later...Gillian and I go on a Mommy/Daughter date. We got some Wendy's then bought her a bike and that darned fishy game...

She got more than some kids get for Christmas! So I guess you are wondering if it worked? Well, duh! Of course not but you can't blame me for trying!