All is Not Well in Blogville

I may not know all of my blog readers personally, but I do know most of them don't like to leave comments. I respect that. It's a botheration (real word, check it out...), but I do respect that little personality defect (while conniving to change it...) So, yesterday when I got a somewhat mysterious comment from "Anonymous" with a question for Ask Annie, I had mixed emotions. The questioner seemed sincere, if not a tad desperate, and how could I refuse to help her when she had left me a much-desired comment? On the other hand, I really don't want my blog to end up being the Dear Abby of the blogosphere. It would only take a few questions before I'd be plum out of wisdom - and I'd be 'outed'. And I haven't even finished answering Mary's question from several days ago. And I have two more questions waiting in the wings, with readers threatening to boycott the internet if I don't straighten out their lives for them.

Plus, I want to start blogging about the important issues of life. Like my new house. And my summer plans.

Anyway- here's the so-called sincere question left in the comment section from 5/3 -

Anonymous said...
I have a question for Annie.
My DD used to be very well-trained and obedient. However, my husband was recently away for an extended period of time, during which I also traveled. DD stayed with friends for a couple of weeks and I don't think they were as strict as we usually are. Since then, DD has been slow to obey and trying to get away with more and more, things that would never have been attempted before -- pretending not to hear when I call, and even pooping on the floor! (DD is only 1 1/2.) I don't want to be overly harsh, but how do I regain control? And how do I prevent this from happening again?
--Stumped in the South

And here's my very kind,thoughtful,goodhearted answer:

Cheaper by the Baker's Dozen said...
Dear Anonymous-
I just want to encourage you that at your daughter's age, you can almost start over. They learn quickly (since obviously she learned quite a bit while she was with your friends!) The key will be your consistency. Not 99%, but 100%. If possible, I would clear my calendar as much as possible in order to be home and able to re-train her. Start with having her come when you call her. You can't really work on too much until you are sure you have her complete attention.

Let me know how things go. I'll be praying for you. I'm sure God knows who Anonymous is :)

Well, maybe God knew the identity of Anonymous but she sure did dupe me.

Here's a picture of the DD (dear dog), who just happens to belong to my real DD, whose husband was deployed for 6 mths. They recently celebrated his return by taking a trip to Italy while a friend kept Zulu, their 18mth old pooping dog. After you see the picture, go back and read the letter. It will make more sense, and it would be hilarious if she had done this on someone else's blog. Unfortunately, most bloggers are too smart to offer to save the world by answering questions on their blog. I think I may have set myself up for this...

Where my daughter gets her warped sense of humor I can not even imagine!

(She did call me to fess up, and I'm sure she'll never take advantage of her mother's blog profundity again, right Jacqueline (and Nathan...who I'm sure was behind this!?)