Name: Sharon

Problem: My granddaughter is 3 years old and her parents are really having a difficult time with her. She has a little brother and I think is very jealous and is reaching for attention. She is a very bright little girl but is really starting to act out. She purposely hurts her little brother and does not seem to care about any type of punishment that is given to her. She refuses to do anything that her mother tells her to do. However, if her Dad tells her to do something she jumps most of the time. I have seen her defiantly stand there and stare at him also. This can be for as simple of a request as for her to pick up a toy.

At my house she is absolutely fine. I have recommended to her parents to attend parenting classes. Her mother is actually a preschool teacher so has attended these types of things before but never regarding her own child.

My concern is that if she is acting this way at 3 where will she be at 13...

Any recommendations/suggestions would be appreciated.

Solution submitted by Lisa from Kansas City, KS: Have you thought that there might be some guilt on the side of the parents for not being able to spend the one-on-one time with her that they used to before their second child came into the picture? Not only can this little girl read into these feelings, but she can also play on them. If her parents are consistent and confident in their discipline they will in the long run prevail over their child's stubbornness.