Thanks to all for your advice regarding wispy toddler hair and the stubborn toddler it belongs to.  I thought I’d address all of the great tips people gave me:

• Working on the part
  This is something I’ve been doing religiously at bathtime for a while.  And I give M a hard time if he doesn’t do it right!  After the bath, I towel-dry her hair, give it a few sprays of No More Tangles, and carefully comb it to the side, with her natural part.  I’m not sure if it’s helping, but maybe it is and it could be even worse!
• Distraction
  Sadly, it doesn’t matter how involved she is in something else.  If I start doing anything at all with her hair, she wiggs out.
• Modeling
  It seems everyone and everything in our world has had a barrette put in its hair, and has been dutifully oohed and aahed over. Rebecca remains unimpressed.

I’m telling you, she is one stubborn kid!  I also tried three of the hairdo possibilities.  And yes, I photographed my very unhappy kid for your (ok, and my) amusement.

Attempt #1 – the half-ponytail or “Pebbles” ‘do.
Result: Much screaming, and Daniel chasing her around, going “off! off! off!”

If I can get her to stop screaming, though, it would be pretty cute.  Maybe I’ll try again later.

Attempt #2 – the barrette de-sensitization approach
Result: additional screaming, and ripping out the barrette.

Oh, the torment!

Attempt #3 – the bobby pin
Result: Not at all pleased when I put it in, but I managed to distract her and she seemed to actually forget about it! For like 45 minutes!  We have a winner!  Thanks, Carrie!

When she remembered it was there, she was still cranky and tried to get it out. Also, it was still rather slippery in her baby-fine hair.  But it’s a good start, and I’ll be on the lookout for non-slip bobby pins.  Maybe it’ll be her gateway drug into real barrettes…

Thanks, people!  Glad to know I’m far from the only one who has struggled with little-girl hair, and you guys have lots of great tips.  I will continue to fight the good fight and try to get her hair out of her eyes.  Geez, I must really be someones mom, now, huh?