Reluctant Pray-ers

Does it mean you're a bad mother if your child refuses to pray?

Ok, don't answer that.

But seriously, Ryan and I finally ended up in a fit of laughter the other night because we often hear these adorable stories of kids muttering their own sweet little prayers at the sage age of six months or informing busy parents of the true meaning of life when they hit age three. And then there's Reese, who has always been her own little person from the very start. Before dinner last night-like every other night- she had this discussion with Ryan--

"Good job folding your arms, Reesey. Would you like to say the prayer?"

"No."

"Daddy can help you. . ."

"No!"

"But why don't we just--"

"No No NO NO NO NO NO NO!" Shaking her head, and waggling her finger in Daddy's face. Fortunately, once Daddy suggested Mommy say it, she smiled like a little angel and promptly folded her arms.

I swear we're good people! All I can figure is she's just a very sweet, very spunky, I'm-doing-it-'cause-I-want-to-not-because-you-told-me-to kind of girl.

Parenthood just never plays out like you think it will.