Tani is a digger. She has always been a digger. It comes in waves - she can go for a long time with nary a hole, and then...big hole. Here's how it goes down:
-Tani goes out. Tani digs a hole.
-Mommy goes out. Tani slinks by with her head very low.
-Mommy knows what's up, and sure enough, Mommy sees dirt and grass all packed in between Tani's toes.
-Tani sees Mommy seeing her, and flops to the ground, looking so guilty it's (almost) funny.
-Mommy looks around and sees The Hole.
-Mommy looks back to Tani. Tani rolls to her side.
-Mommy doesn't scream or yell or spazz. Mommy "big sighs".
-Tani rolls again and looks miserable.
-Mommy calls Tani (nicely, but exasperated - no yelling).
-Tani will not come.
-Mommy walks to Tani. Tani rolls. Looks miserable, will not get up.
OK. Obviously she KNOWS she's done a naughty thing. She has never been physically disciplined or otherwise freaked out on. However, she acts like she is expecting me to beat her to a pulp! So, explain, please, if anyone can:
1. Why does she dig if she feels so damn guilty about it and obviously knows it's a no-no? It's like she's addicted. She knows she shouldn't. She tries not to. Then she falls off the wagon, relapses, and feels horrible about it.
2. Why does she act like I'm going to hurt her? I've never, and would never, hit or physcially punish her! What is she going for here?
OK, help! There is a tongue-in-cheek element to my post, but also not. If she dug holes and didn't care, I say "OK, I have a digger, so how can I solve this?" But she digs and then punishes herself!! What the heck is that??