Tina went through a little skill test, and found it...disheartening. Her ability to count wasn't just affected. She can no longer read without sounding out the letters, can only write her own name in barely legible script, and has a significantly lower vocabulary. Even her potty training took a hit, as she wet herself without noticing, and only asked to go potty after a rather noisy fart. Leah didn't just think she was a toddler, she now had the skills of one too. Tina didn't realize how powerful the trigger would be, but this was definitely not what she had in mind. The trigger was permeant, meaning she'll have to relearn those skills, and given that Leah's brain wasn't an actual toddler brain, her ability to learn is significantly lower. That is to say...for a teen toddler not affected by hypnosis of this degree.
She looks back at the trigger list. Technically speaking...she could give her an actual toddler brain, information absorption and all. However, it'd basically be a hard reset. Any memories and knowledge Leah learned after the age of 3 would be erased. It'd basically kill the current Leah, and let a new one grow in her place. Tina furrowed her brow, turning to look at the disgruntled Leah.
"Awh we done yet?" She droned, annoyed and tired, "I thawght daycawe would be wess work."
"Well, you still would need to learn how to read and write." 'Again' She wanted to add. Leah rolled her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, I know. Jus casue I'm a todddwer doesn't mean I can't cawe fo myself." Tina felt the corner of her lip twitch upward. Despite everything that affected Leah, she still had the energy and vibe of an angsty teen. It was still her in there, now just with less words to use and sillier swears to curse with. Tina almost wanted to remove the triggers, just so she could get her grumpy teen back for a day. But she's gone this far, and Leah was now permanently like this until Tina re-raised her. Maybe she could even focus on getting Leah back to her teen level of proficiency?
She gave a smile to Leah, leaning down to kiss her forehead. Leah, of course, moved away and resisted.
"Tina, gwoss!"
"Sorry, it's just that...I love you Leah. I want what's best for you." She sits down next to the girl, going through her thoughts. Does she really love her? Would a parent really do what she was doing? The answer was no. A parent would change to meet their kid's needs, not change the kid to match the parent's needs. Tina realized that while she was a decent caretaker, she was a terrible mother. She couldn't be what Leah needed, and the moment Tina got the chance to change Leah to her preferences she pounced on it. Now her step-daughter is stuck as a toddler, and it's entirely Tina's fault. She needed to fix this, and only knew one way how. "Leah, I don't know what you have in mind for the future, but..."