A Primer on Female Persuasion

She was wrapped around her daddy's leg screeching and giggling, "I catched you!"

Now you owe me a hug and a kiss," Daddy said. "When you catch me, you have to give me a hug and a kiss."

"No," she giggled, climbing onto his belly.

"Okay, then here come the tickle birds!"

Annie twisted and turned, laughing and screaming. After a few minutes, Daddy took a break from tickling her to grab two sticks of Lincoln Logs beside him. He began tapping them together.

"Give them to me," she demanded, reaching for the sticks.

"No, I'm playing with them," he answered, blocking her.

Several more blocked attempts, and my two year old daughter paused, sat up, tilted her head, and blinked her lash-fringed blue eyes at her daddy. "Hug and kiss?"

His crooked smile told me he wasn't fooled, but he answered, "Yes, hug and kiss."

She leaned forward and, wrapping her small arms about his neck, planted a soft kiss on his lips. Sitting up with a smile, she asked, "Have those?"

Daddy gave them to her.

Slipping to the floor next to him, she struck the sticks together, "making music."

Daddy picked up a small colored ball and tossed it from hand to hand.

Annie dropped the sticks and held out a hand, "Have that?"

"No, I'm playing with it," Daddy replied.

She reached for the ball, he blocked her attempt. The physical battle was much shorter. "Hug and kiss?" she suggested.

"Yes, hug and kiss," Daddy agreed. She climbed onto his chest, wrapped her small arms about his neck, and planted another soft kiss on his lips. Sitting up with a triumphant smile, she asked, "Have that?"

Daddy held the ball out of her reach, preparing his lecture. "Now Annie, just because you give someone a hug and a kiss doesn't mean you'll always get what you want, especially with boys. Understand?"

"Yes," she grinned, then watched the ball drop into her hand.