Bossy boots

I have four daughters including a 3 year old, and this is normal behavior in my opinion. They will grow out of it. My 3 year old will "give orders" and you just have to remind them that that is not the way to ask. Like if she tells her sister get off the computer its my turn then we remind her on the nice way to ask for the computer and ignore her demands until she's nice. It can actually be comical at times, when there is a little girl with her hands on her hips barking orders but you just have to teach them that acting that way will get them nowhere.

Jennifer is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com and mommy to four beautiful girls who range from 9 to 4 years of age.

I think it is really normal, and girls stay bossy for awhile. My friend is really good with her daughter and tells her often that the moms are in charge and if there is a problem they will take care of it. It sometimes works, but at least she knows it's not a great way to act.
It is pretty cute though when the kids she is with like it. Somekids enjoy being bossed around.

Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.

My daughter is normal after all! I read your post and laughed - I have two boys as well and my daughter, the youngest one, is the boss of the house. She is definitely the rule keeper - even keeps my husband and I in line sometimes! Maybe it's a control issue because she's the youngest and a girl? I don't know. But I have to say, she does help keep order in our house - especially with two wild boys!

Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 12 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.

Not only is it normal, but I remember this as the time that we started talking about how our words can hurt others feelings. She may just be bossy with her brothers right now, but soon that will spread to other playmates, and eventually grown ups! And, that is NO fun at all. Been there, done that, still living it...

From a personal standpoint, when our daughter starts getting bossy (even now as an OLD 9 year old), it's our warning signal that she's feeling lost in the sibling crowd and needs one-on-one parent time. While that doesn't mean that your sister should tolerate her bossiness, sometimes bossiness can be a sign that something more is going on - and yes, even at 3 years old. Our daughter requires a good deal more personalized attention than our two boys - especially as the only girl AND the middle child.

Good luck!

Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She spends most of her days juggling her duties as a (bio & step) mom, wife, and business owner. Her three little kittens range in age from 5 to 13.

I have 2 girls and I have found this is normal, especially for the youngest one.

When my youngest was about 2 or 3 and her Aunt would watch her, she would like to tell her how things are done. My sister had to remind her she was not Mommy but Aunt ______. Now she likes to boss around her older sisters friends and the amazing thing is they let her! When something goes awry and the older kids say, well she told us I have to remind them she is 6 - why are you listening to her?? We curb it as much as possible, and for the most part she's a pretty good kid. She doesn't do this with her peers btw.

KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.

Thanks all - my sister will be so glad to know tht she's not the only one. I will forward all the comments!

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.