I think you've hit the nail right on the head...

I agree with everything you say, Furcifer, and you have said it very well indeed.

With my niece, we have for a long time told each other what we've learnt since we last saw each other. This has resulted in her proudly showing me her first writing skills, right through to her now showing me her dance routines, or her short stories.

Point is, she's taken it as showing an interest, which she loves. According to the bargain, I tell her what I've learnt. I leave out all the dry crap, like that new amendment in contract law, or something, but I tell her what I've learnt about friendships, and the world around me. And she shows an interest in that - at least, some of it, up to the point I bore her to tears!...

I think you're right - it's one thing saying or asking something, and another thing meaning it.

I also treat my niece as an equal. We sort problems out as equals. She is perfectly capable of behaving quite maturely, and she knows that I know that, if that makes sense.

So, we can always sort things out without any quarrels or melodramatics.

I suspect that might change as she gets older, though! ;o)

Tril.