“AJ wouldn’t answer me yesterday.” Kiera said, slightly perturbed.  “I talked to him and he didn’t answer me.”

AJ is the six-year old boy that hugs Kiera every day when she leaves. Well, to be honest, it’s a two way hug kind of thing. If he doesn’t hug her before she leaves, Kiera runs and hugs him. He’s a cute little boy.  Maybe when she is ready to date at 30 we will see if he is still around.

“He wouldn’t answer you?” I asked, thinking that sounded a little out of character. “What did you ask him?”

“I asked him to play mermaids.” She responded with all the innocence of a four-year old.

I quickly turned my head to hide my smile. “Ooohh…He didn’t want to play mermaids…”

My poor little girl, is very much a take-charge child, especially when it comes to kids around her own age. Whether it is playing or she is trying to be the “adult.” She has great leadership skills or she could also be described as bossy. We are going to stick with great leadership skills.

For example, a few nights ago, we were over at my friend Amanda’s house. Amanda and her husband, Scott, have eight kiddos. Four are teenagers and four are pre-school age and younger. Abby is 4, David and Harmony are 3 and Gideon is a year old.

I was visiting with Amanda and chipped in helping get the little ones to bed. During this time, Kiera’s “leadership” skills began to show.  As Amanda read the littles a bedtime story, Kiera began to flutter between kids. First, she gently pushed Abby into a laying position, than tucked the blanket around her. Next, she made her way to David, at which point, I motioned for her to sit down and listen to the story.

She sat for a couple more pages and then was back up checking on David.  She checked on Gideon in his crib and made sure his pacifier was handy. Thankfully, Amanda finished the short story and we told the littles good night. Kiera tucked Abby in and placed a kiss on her forehead.  She turned and made sure David and Harmony were laying down before walking out the door.

I think if she could have convinced Gideon to lie down, she probably would have been at his crib as well.

I looked at Amanda, slightly embarrassed by my child’s attempt to take over her parenting role, and started to apologize. Amanda laughed and said, “I don’t even need to be here, Kiera has it all under control.”

A few months ago, we were over at my in-laws. My nephew was there playing with a couple of his friends. They are all around the age of nine. Kiera was frustrated because she couldn’t get them to play with her.

Finally, one of the boys told her he would play with her. I watched as they walked off to play. Just as they rounded the corner, I heard Kiera say to him,  “Ok. You are going to be the Daddy and I will be the Mommy. Here is your baby.”

That was probably one of the shortest play sessions on the planet. That poor boy did an about face and headed away from Kiera.

We took that opportunity to explain that if she wants others to play with her sometimes she has to let them choose what they are going to play.

Now, back to AJ and his unwilling desire to play mermaids.

“Poor AJ didn’t want to play mermaids.” I said and glanced at Aaron. I could tell by the look on his face he was battling with his words. Should he defend poor AJ or let Kiera think AJ just didn’t want to play with her? Ahh, the dilemmas of the overprotective Dad… The good side finally won.

“Honey, sometimes boys don’t want to play girl games.” He explained. “AJ probably didn’t answer you, because he didn’t want to hurt your feelings and tell you no.”

Kiera quietly pondered that explanation for a moment before moving onto something else that happened at daycare that day.

I’m hoping that she remembers Aaron’s explanation and thinks before she tries to convince poor AJ to play mermaids again.

It’s a tough road to walk as a parent. Finding that middle ground, where we encourage Kiera and her leadership skills while at the same time, making her realize she needs to listen to those around her and consider other options.

Oh well, we will take it one day at a time and start praying ahead of time for when she becomes a teenager. Heaven help us.