[Winstons Julia]

I don’t have my own... I’m just an aunt.

But don’t (within hearing of the kid) say, “he doesn’t behave” or “she won’t eat vegetables”....and then be upset when he doesn’t behave and she doesn’t eat vegetables....

[JRandomFreeper]

One word of wisdom my youngest taught me back in the mid-80s was "Remember... I'm going to be there when you go. Think carefully about what you are going to do next."

Wise child. We get along well now.

I am 'harsh' on children in that I treat them like short people that happen to be newbs. I boss them if they act silly. I give them exact instructions (Hand me that 7/16" wrench). And generally expect them to behave like.... well.... I expect normal people to behave.

Amazing how well they meet my expectations.

I've got an 18 mo old grand-daughter. I don't babytalk her, and sorry, if she doesn't speak english, spanish, or french, I can't understand, even if I can hear her.

Speak english to me, cambodian to the rest of the family that understands it.

She figured it out.

She speaks (very little) english, pitched in a tone that I can hear if she wants to talk to me.

Good enough for an 18 month old.

/johnny