i was just thinking the other day “when am i going to be able to make a decision with this girl without arguing over it?” darla has to contest anything and everything JUST BECAUSE. i try not to get to worried about it and let her have her say in the things she can { i.e. yes, you can have the green cup. no, you cannot wear your bathing suit to school } but it will just be nice when she no longer feels the need to argue to wear summer pjs in the winter and footie pjs in the summer.
i stumbled upon a new tactic: get her to argue about something new that she can win in the middle of the old argument. it worked 100% of the time that one time i tried it!
i will be reporting on the developments of this new parenting motto at a later date.
momjeanz 
Wow…..the above post really brings to mind the man and child that I dined with for about 18 years….who enjoyed arguing so much they had inconsequential verbal combat each night over our evening meal. I sure dreaded it but it seemed like maybe the high point of the day for both of them. I bet that Darla would love to debate her Grandpa as well…..put the child on skype for a few rounds.
man, if you’re having trouble with that now, I don’t envy you during the teenage years. if you find something that works, I may have to use it on the 16YO!