sink

i suppose that if only i can make my point again and again and again, eventually my message will begin to sink in. but i must admit that i'm starting to wonder if all of my entreaties and exhortations and admonishments are entirely in vain. for it's been more than a year now since my daughter first embarked upon her current campaign of open defiance towards her flustered parental units. and to be honest, i'm not really sure what exactly got the ball rolling in the first place. nor am i certain just how i can bring that steaming pre-teen locomotive to a halt. but in my defence, i have tried everything. everything. polite requests. reasoned discussions. childish bickering. stern glances. disapproving nods. bribes. blackmail. hand wringing. navel gazing. eye rolling. threats of increased chores. promises of early bedtimes. the silent treatment. the socratic method. being a friend. being a parent. passive-aggressiveness. aggressive-passiveness. picking my battles. throwing my hands up. turning a blind eye. and even an ounce or two of tough love.

and the result? well, i'm afraid to report that in the end, the beat goes on. and on. and on.