I’m quite used to hearing Sara chant “It’s Mine” several thousand times a day. She proclaims it into the quiet air, when no one is in the room, or even within miles of her, ready to pounce and take her stuff. But recently she began something that I must change immediately. She now quotes her cousin Avery, in an accent so perfect, one could not tell them apart. It’s Miiiiiine has become, “It’s Moine”. Or maybe it’s moyne. Or moaoune. It’s an Avery-ism. She has ridiculously perfect speech, but her specific pronunciation of mine is a little, um…irritating. It has a special whiny quality that makes you want to make sharing a law.

So now I’m left with a task so horrific, it makes the strongest Type A Mom cringe: I must practice the use of the words “It’s Mine” with Sara. What’s next? Will I teach her to throw a more proper fit later today?! No Sara, your face isn’t purple enough. You’re giving in and eating chicken already? Where is your stubborn will? Try harder! And you call yourself a 2 year old….