Negotiations

Liam has developed a new skill lately--the fine art of negotiation.  Pretty typical two-year-old behavior, but he's proving to be pretty good at it.  (He may be following in the attorney footsteps of Grandpa and Great-Grandpa).  Now, I don't think I'm one of those parents who entertain the notion that your bottom line in a behavioral situation with your children is flexible, but I do realize that sometimes with a two-year-old, the best card to play is the one that lets them think they have some ownership in the decision.  That's where we were today during lunch.

"Liam, you need to finish your green beans," said Mama.

"Don't want anymore."

"Tell ya what, give me five more good bites, and you'll be all done."

Liam countered, "No, not five.  Three.  I take three more bites."

"Tell ya what, you can take three more bites, and then two more after that, and you'll be all done."

"Okay, great!"

And, with that, all the green beans were gone.