luke,
i got into an "arms race" with my x over my daughter and what i did for my daughter. (i dont know if x ever noticed, doesnt matter)

and it was the best thing that ever happened.

i recognized that in that type of war, my daughter is the winner. she gets more from both of us. i used it as a motivator.

i would suggest using the time between now and the shopping trip to listen to what your daughter's interests are, prod if needed, and come up with an idea for a trip/outing based on what your daughter has been sharing, and then use the shopping trip to discuss that trip with your daughter. "i've noticed you're excited about climbing that mountain, what do you feel about climbing this other one with me as practice?"

make it in the near future, and then, while planning and executing that trip, listen for the what could be the next. let one trip lead you into the next.

enjoy it, get excited about it, get d excited about it.

and it doesnt have to be grand, it just has to be about you and your daughter, doing what interests her.

and dont even consider what w thinks.


"In a ham and eggs breakfast, the hen is involved, but the pig is committed".