Anna wants shoes with lights. You know - the really annoying kind that thankfully no one ever thought of while we were kids? Well, it seems this peer pressure stuff starts early, because Anna came home and started to talk about all the other kids who have these shoes and then proceeded to describe in detail and three part harmony exactly how she wants her new sneakers to look like.

I think what I'll do is make some sort of behavior chart with stars, and if she goes through an entire day without getting into "time out" then she'll get a star for the box. Enough stars and I'll give in and get her those ridiculous shoes with blinking lights. I'm just hoping that she'll understand the concept of the chart and the need to work on her behavior. I know lots of parents talk about success that they've had using charts for various things - potty training, behavior, and as the kid gets older for chores. My parents never used charts for us because we were perfect children with no behavior issues, but my kid has apparently inherited the "normal kid" genes and at 3 1/2 years old has issues following directions and throws tantrums as well just for good measure.

Most of the time, she really is a good kid. She often goes Friday nights with my husband to synagogue, when there really aren't any kids there, and she sits with her little own siddur (prayer book) and is pretty quiet (although people do say that she has the loudest whisper they have ever heard). She'll sit through a meal. She'll help set the table. She really is a wonderful kid. But don't catch her when she's in a bad mood or overtired. As we say in this area of the country, fohgetaboutit.

So maybe the chart thing will help, although I'm reluctant to go that route. But I'm out of other ideas. I'll keep you posted.