Bi-Polar Arguing

I don't know "if this is how it's done" between mothers and daughters, but when I argue with my daughter I come out on the other side feeling as though I need psychological counseling and medication. 


In the context of her argument, she changes variables so often that my arguments for one point are negated in the next because I'm arguing the opposite side. I don't wear down easily, but these are the early years. I can only imagine that by her mid-teens, I'll be sitting in the corner, wrapped in a shawl, rocking.... mumbling to myself,"it's cold in here."


Maybe this is how teens argue with their parents, I'm not sure. This is my first adventure in this strange land of hormones and confusion. I remember that I traveled this road before, but I was on the opposite side and it was the 70s. I was mortified by my father's leisure suits -- I remember this well. I argued with my mother most of the time, but I didn't lie. I knew better. My mother was clever, plus there wasn't much to lie about anyway. I didn't have any privileges. There were no sleepovers, and only one activity (choir). I didn't get a say-so in the clothes I wore, I had one pair of school shoes, one pair of boots and one pair of tennis shoes. I know times are different, it doesn't mean they are better.


Currently my daughter has taken lobbying for a second pair of boots to arguing as to why she needs them. She has had the money twice to buy them for herself and has decided she'd rather spend her money elsewhere. This tells me that she wants them, just to say she has them and they will most likely end up stuffed in the closet or under her bed. Now she's looking to me to get them for her. Sorry, but her reasons for wanting them are trend-based, so I'm not buying the argument or the boots -- not even as a Christmas present.