My nine year old came home from 2 week-sleepaway camp. Tears of  joy, a lovely lunch (despite the cranky almost 4 year old - yes, yes - adjusting, adjusting), and afternoon followed.
This morning - with no clear plans for the rest of the summer except for wanting "lots of playdates," We spent the morning calling friends and set something up for later in the day. I then explained that I had 1 hour to hike/exercise then go to work. She could run errands with dad or come hiking. Well, maybe the incline was too much - but I had a frowning, kvetching, arms crossed the chest adolescent trailing me up the steep incline of Runyon Canyon. I was furious! I explained to her I had 30 minutes to hike and then I had to get to the office. She had the choice to go with dad and she chose hiking with me. No explanation worked, she trailed behind (arms still crossed).
 I lost it (I admit it) - I told her I loved her always but right now I hated her. She was wrapped up in her own selfish, ego-centered attitude and I stormed down the hill to the car. A last minute intuitive decision told me to veer to the left downhill to a different trail rather than back to the car. She cried to give her a second chance and I breathed and said yes (still trailing behind) I chose a less strenuous hike which led to a magical, isolated, shaded area and swing. I began to swing and waited for her to arrive. When she did, I gave her a turn and I stretched and did pushups on a log. So we had a lovely 15 minutes and when another family came over, we headed arm in arm home to quick shower. She stated that she was glad that she changed her attitude. I was glad that we were able to change the mood and experience but was left depleted and "down." I had to do some cleansing/affirmations in the shower to rinse of the residual "bad energy" and was able to get to work in a clear, complete way.
It is amazing to me how she can push my buttons the way no one else can. Anyone else dealing with peri-hormonal adolescents?