A Helpless Nearly Four-Year-Old

She is REGRESSING. Is it all for attention? Is she developing new phobias?

She wants an escort everytime she goes to the bathroom. We question her to find out why, and the explanations vary, but are all far-fetched. She is afraid of the radiator pipe. She 's afraid the beds will vroom out of the bedroom and get her because they don't like girls that aren't beds (this is the most often-used reason). Huh???

She explains every night that she cannot go to sleep "without a parent." She would get a lot further if she used the I- cannot- go- to- sleep- without- my- beloved- mommy-dear approach.

Often, she tells Daddy she cannot eat her vegetables unless he helps her eat them. When he feeds her, the whole bowl disappears.

There is one area in which she is fiercely independent - her dress. Ugh. This is where Mommy would be happy if she were to remain little forever. She has some lovely clothes. With them, she creates some pretty dreadful ensembles. She believes they are beautiful. She always picks a bow to match - but often leaves it behind for her favorite pink polka-dotted one.