As the little one in the house, Sophie often needs to fight a little harder than the rest of us to make herself heard.  On a good day, she’s the only one talking, and there’s no problem.  But most of the time, she’s eclipsed by Chloe, and sometimes her mommy and daddy.

A couple of months ago, I noticed that she was starting to use a new tactic to get our attention.  Her new ploy was stunning in its simplicity.  

Whenever she senses that we aren’t listening to her, she exclaims, “Mommy, talk to me!” or “Papa, talk to me!”  If we do not respond to her fast enough, she exclaims, “Mommy, talk to me!” or “Papa, talk to me!”  She doesn’t whine in saying those four magical words; she’s actually very matter-of-fact and calm about the whole thing.

By calling us out on our inattentiveness (whether legitimate or perceived), Sophie basically succeeds in refocusing her parents on her.   She has pretty incredible antennae for a three-year old – and refuses to be ignored.  She’s a firecracker, our little Sophie – and she keeps us our toes.