So this little sprout spent most of the morning doing her fake crying routine. On and on and on... Finally I ask her, "Mary, why are you doing this? It doesn't work on me and never has." She tells me that Big Mary (former foster mom) always came to her when she cried like that. I inform her that Mommy does not come to fake crying. So she quits crying.
Later today Mary came to me and said, "If I am good to Mommy, Mommy is good to me!" YA THINK?? I have been trying to get this across to the people who live with me for many years! If you want something from me you better kiss up... If you tick me off, I will be unhappily disposed toward you (means CRABBY).
Now if Mary can just live this revelation she has had, and spread it to those around her, I am looking at a very pleasant parenting future.