My threenager

Well, this morning was a test.  Am I practicing patience and being a "present" parent?  Luckily, I passed.  My night owl of a daughter was up until 11pm last night while the rest of us were fast asleep.  She is three years old going on 13.  She is a free spirit.  Intelligent.  Empathetic.  And sassy.  And apparently, felt the need to express it all in body art last night. 

When I got her out of bed this morning, I got a surprise!  Green marker tattooed her from head to toe.  I could have lost my $hit.  Or just laughed.  While she was crying because she didn't want to get out of bed, I was belly laughing and patiently brought her downstairs and did my best to wipe her down before I let her head off to preschool.  I explained to her that markers were to be used with supervision now and that although I appreciated her creativity, falling asleep with markers was a terrible idea.

In truth, I just couldn't get mad.  She is like my husband in a lot of ways.  When they can't sleep, they create.  But yes, she is three and she needs discipline.  But there is a fine line between encouraging creativity and crushing it.  For now, I'll keep all paints and markers and lipsticks under lock down.  Only to be used under a watchful eye ;-)

Be well. Be creative. Be present. Be a winning parent!
MLC

Mad to be up and eating breakfast.  Notice, she is not wanting to part with her artwork.

This makes me laugh.  I caught her in mid eyeroll...already a teenager.  Hilarious.  She looks like a zombie!

Cleaned up as best as possible before school.  But still showing her night of work.