Four is a tough age, no? (We are still about 10 days away from the big four, but we are over-achievers in our family…)

At four they want INDEPENDENCE (which is a fancy way of saying “I don’t want your help! I want to do it myself!) but there are still things for which they need ASSISTANCE (which is a fancy way of saying “You need my help, child, no matter how much you are screaming in my ear and no matter what kind of flop-on-the-floor in a public place kind of tantrum you are showing at this very second!”)

like, let’s say, for instance, THE WATER FOUNTAIN. (insert rather ominous duh, duh, duh, duh here). She *wants* to drink from it herself, but she can’t quite figure out how to coordinate her still toddler-ish pudgy hands to hold hold the button while keeping her face close enough to the spout to reap any of the watery benefits.

(random totally unrelated side note: my mother calls a water fountain a “bubbler” which makes me and my children laugh to no end)

I *could* try to help her. But instead, I take pictures. and laugh.

and finally, when I do assist her to sweet, sweet victory…

the thanks I get is a huff and a puff and a “NOOOOOOOOOO! I wanted to do that MYSELF! why did you help me?”

and don’t even get me started on the pull out and then pull coordination it takes to close the van door. the coordination she can’t quite get, but still insists on doing every.single.damn.day.

You just can’t win with FOUR.