...as a Person and not Just as their parent, it's a great thing! When they start to realize that within their dealings with you that there is a natural 'give and take' that happens-- that when they want something from you e.g., a certain answer to a certain question, a certain outcome to a situation--that they will get better results if they appeal to your character and energy as a person with thoughts, feelings, desires, likes and dislikes-- that day, my friends, IS a Great Day Indeed. It's one of those moments when you realize that the repetitive nature of your experiences with them, positive and negative, sweet and sour, are just starting to sink into their little minds in that patterned memory of preferential experiences and outcomes that we All come to rely on in life so as to spare ourselves as much discomfort as possible while simultaneously increasing the amplitude of the glowing green smile of 'the pleasure principle'. Do I hear a Halelujah? Oh, wow. That's Me...Of course it is. :) It's a fine day when your little Scamperer learns that they like the energetic sustenance of a Happy and Pleased Mommy and Daddy, but it's not just that really. They know that they like that from early on, but what takes them a little bit to figure out is how to 'Have their Cake and Eat it Too' because the truth is that they want Mommy and Daddy to Always be pleased and happy with them and they want to Have what they Want and they want that....All The Time (who doesn't, right?). When they start to realize that there are compromises to be had here that promise a most favorable 'Happiness' for All albeit spread thinly sometimes, they start to Get It: the Principle of Giving and Receiving--a basic mechanical tenet of Life's Social function. To see your own offspring start to get this is really quite special!