Apropos of nothing, my niece writes the following about her 6-year-old daughter, Ruby (Charlie is her other daughter, 8 years old):
It’s been a long day of mom-voice and stern ultimatums and laying down the law, and ultimately separating my children from each other so they’d stop effing around. Ruby sat me down for a heart to heart.
Ruby: look. I know you. I know you very well. This isn’t you. You’re kind, not firm. You’re helpful, not breaking people apart. I don’t know, I just don’t know. My love is pooling towards Charlie and Dad, and if you continue behaving this way I don’t know...I might not have any love left... for you. So please: stop behaving this way. Stop being so firm. Oh you’re laughing? Do you WANT me to give all my love to Charlie and Dad? Well, do you??