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We have taught Owen that, when Abby is threatening to do something like knock over his train set or turn off the television (she likes buttons), he is to call one of his parents rather than forcibly eject her from the room.

The result is that the day is broken up by intermittent cries of "Help!" from Owen, at which point we trot into the room and resolve things.

But Owen has begun to try to cut out the middleman, and he is finding that, by golly, one-year-olds are not so good at following instructions. Yesterday Abby was crawling with a head of steam toward Owen's trains and he tried telling her to go in the other direction.

"Abby, go this way!"
(No response)
"No, Abby, this way!"
(Giggle, continues in same direction)
"Abby! Listen to me!"
(No response.)
"Oh, you little rascal."