Little Buddy is always happy. When she was a baby, she smiled everytime someone looked at her. Big Sis, on the other hand, is a more high maintenance child.

Holly thinks that Little Buddy, with her winning ways, will be the one who will try to con her as a teenager while Big Sis, who takes things seriously, will be the easier of the two to manage.

Because Little Buddy gets so much attention from everyone, Holly and I try to make a point of giving Sissy equal love and one-on-one time. Bevan makes no secret of the fact that he favors Little Buddy.

He really doesn't have a clue what Big Sis is all about, and he never has. He thinks the way to handle her is through tough discipline while he lets Little Buddy get away with anything.

He grew up in a family of three boys and can't understand how deep and introspective little girls can be.

I understand Bailey because she is a lot like me. The only difference is that she is more stubborn. I learned early on just to "go along to get along." with my mother.

I suggested to Bailey once that her life would be a lot easier if she just did what her dad said.

"I know you are right a lot of the time; but he thinks you need to mind him even when he's wrong. Most of the time, it's not a big deal. Just go along with him."

I know," she said, "but that's just not how I'm made. It makes me mad that I can do nothing right while he treats Kenzie like a little princess."

I know it hurts her too because she tries so hard to please him; but he never sees it.

I have to bite my tongue to keep from interfering. Needless to say, I have failed on a few occasions.

I have always believed that a parent should pick his fights with children rather than being on them about every little thing. Most things are so trivial that they are not worth the time it takes to deal with them.

The super nanny on television said the same thing. Discipline loses its effectiveness when a child knows he's probably going to be in trouble no matter what he does or says.

I also do not believe in discipling children in public or in front of their friends. I don't think there's anything that a child does, aside from hurting another child, that can't be addressed later in private.

Bevan--and even Holly at times--embarrass Bailey in public. Bevan is notorious for dressing her down in front of her friends.

The other day Bailey had company. Bevan thought she was talking too loud and gave her a ten-minute
lecture in front of her friend. What was the big deal? She was excited to have her friend over. Maybe she was a bit loud, but was it worth a lecture and humiliating her in front of her company? I wouldn't have done it to one of my children.

Well, anyway, have a great 4th of July and enjoy your friends and family this day!