Divorce leaves a stepparent dangling
Dear Amy: My daughter has just given birth to her third daughter.
She currently has four children: Two daughters, ages 6 and 4, a 2-year-old boy and the new baby girl.
My question is regarding my 4-year-old granddaughter.
Since birth, she has been dressed identically as her older sister. She should be past the "terrible twos," but her behavior is abominable.
She is constantly acting out, both physically and verbally.
Her actions seem to be a plea for attention.
Her older sister is quite accomplished for a 6-year-old. She plays piano, speaks English and Spanish, does ballet and does well in school, etc.
The 4-year-old has been afforded the same opportunities and is age-appropriately proficient. Yet she is not a nice person.
I am wondering if being constantly dressed as her older sister may make her feel that she is not an individual being but just a copy, and her bad behavior is her trying to express her individuality.
Also, I'm worried that the new baby girl will become a similar problem if dressed identically as her older sisters.
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