My DD is just turned 7 and often behaves like a moody teenager. Obstructive, defiant, refuses to make eye contact or let me be near her. I generally manage to be a gentle nurturing 'lets talk it through' style parent and she likes this about me, has said she feels 'she can always rely on' me.
BUT - or maybe it's SO, I don't react well when she behaves like this, moody and obstinate, pushing me away almost for the sake of it. I know I should just shrug it off or laugh it off and pretend I haven't noticed or it doesn't get to me, I will try and jolly her along or talk to her gently about it for so long but if she persists I'll just take myself off and leave her to it, when I don't think that's what she REALLY wants. So tonight she's reading her own bedtime story because frankly I didn't feel like reading one to her as she was being so snotty with me. I think we're both regretting it.
My dilemma in these situations - should I be modelling good behaviour and what is that - standing up for myself when someone's being snarky and mean to me - or showing that I can be the bigger person and rise above it, turn it around and make light of it.
She's an only child so I think maybe it makes it easier for her to 'play' me - cos there's no one else for me to give my lovely attention to while studiously 'ignoring' her 