To be a successful leader, you must have a good follower…

or just any follower will do, especially a first time mommy.

This is a conversation that could happen between my daughter and me as she complains about all the precious, harmless antics of my sweet, perfect Little Princess granddaughter:

Daughter: Will she ever outgrow this stage in her life?
Mother: Consider her a leader. She’s learning to exert herself…over you…and over whatever obstacles get in her way. But she’s learning to be a leader. She’s learning to burn trails before her. She’s strong willed. She’s determined. She’s The Little Princess.
Daughter: Will she ever outgrow this stage in her life?
Mother: She’s a born leader. Do you really want her to be just a follower? Don’t you really want her to learn to establish the ground rules on her own and not those pre-set by some other obnoxious kid whose mother didn’t raise him/her right?
Daughter: Will she ever outgrow this stage in her life?
Mother: She’s a stinker…I mean she’s a thinker. Just look at it this way. One day when you’re called into the school principal’s office because your little leader has led her friends into some ridiculous prank, you will know your daughter was smart enough to think up something outlandish that the others weren’t smart enough to think up.
Daughter: Will she ever outgrow this stage in her life?
Mother: All too soon. Then another comes along. Right now there’s been a role reversal. She’s become the leader and you’ve become the follower. Everywhere she goes. Let her lead. She needs all the practice she can get before she tries it out on the big kids. You just try to be the best little follower you know how to be. We need a good future leader in this world. Enjoy the journey she’s taking you on. Day by glorious day.

Her Mommy asks me if I think she will conform to "time outs". Probably not. She's too busy trying to learn new things to teach her followers. You may need to "get her attention" in another way, but for now, let her enjoy her role in life.