"Help, my dad is going to vote for Trump!"

When to use reverse psychology, demand obedience, or throw up your hands

Photo by Cindie Hansen

On September 11, my daughter turned 13.

She is subtle, cool. She never stoops to currying favor or kissing up.

“I heard something I liked the other day,” I told her a few weeks ago. “‘Be your own best friend,’ isn’t that an interesting concept?”

“I’m always my own best friend,” she said immediately, and I realized that was true. I …