The Art of Negotiation
I took a class on negotiation while in school, although I can't say I gained much from it. HOWEVER, I'm beginning to think Kelly was reading my negotiation books to Kate as bed time stories, because Kate has evolved into a master negotiator. The "Art" as we'll call it is best seen around bed time, when she negotiates the number of books to read, the jammies she wears, or anything else that can prolong actually going to bed.
Tonight though was perhaps my favorite. As Kelly and I were giving hugs and kisses, she asked that I lay by her as she went to sleep. I told her I had to help clean up so I couldn't lay by her. She then asked if we could read four books tomorrow night, which I agreed to. (Another negotiating strategy as she never forgets) But this time it was a new angle, as after I agreed to reading four books tomorrow night, she proceeded to tell me I had to lay by her tonight. When I asked why, she said "If you want to read four books tomorrow, you need to lay by me tonight." I couldn't help but laugh, as I didn't realize it was really me who wanted to read the four books tomorrow. I told her I still had to clean up, so she upped the deal and said we could read FIVE books tomorrow if I laid next to her tonight. Somehow the deals just kept going in her favor, so I slipped out of there before she negotiated a new car for her fourth birthday.
I'm such a sucker for my cute kids.
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3 comments:
Get out those books and start studying. This little girl has clearly got you in her sights, and her daddy's competitive genes seem to have come through full strength. She won't stop until you've thrown in your pillow and said, "I surrender! Just let me get comfy here in your bed before we start the 15 stories you chose for tonight. And don't spill crumbs from the chocolate chippers I just baked for your bed-time snack!"
well, she's got you...hook, line, and sinker...good luck in the next 25 years or so.
Yeah, I'm pretty much doomed at this point. What's even worse is that now after Kelly kisses her goodnight, and I kiss her goodnight, she request me (only me) to stay as she has a "secret" to tell me. Most secrets are actually questions, and usually try to persuade me to become more of a sucker.
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