Negotiation Specialist

One thing Bill and I have noticed recently is how difficult it is to get Kai to agree. As a 2-year-old and like most of his peers, Kai has discovered the joy of decision-making. He wants to pick out what he's wearing that day: which shirts, shoes or boots, McQueen hat or doggie hat and, on certain days, which pair of sunglasses. As his parents, whenever there's conflict, we negotiate a feasible outcome so Kai (can feel like he) has a say in the matter. For example, when we pick him up at the daycare and he doesn't want to go home, we often say, "Okay. You can read this book one time/for 5 minutes. Then we have to go home." i'll let you do what you want to do for a bit. Then you have to do what I want you to do. Fair and win-win, right?

It only works when you don't mind waiting.

In the mornings when all you want is to get him to daycare so you can make your 10 o'clock meeting, having to deal with a negotiation specialist can make you want to pull your hair out and scream out the door.
For instance,
"Come here so I can change your diaper, Kai."
"No! Kaikai read 'A New Adventure' one minute."
Imagine a conversation similar to this one about e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: having breakfast, brushing teeth, getting dressed, putting on the jacket, putting on shoes, putting on a hat, taking the lunch bag, getting out the door, walking down the stairs, walking across the lawn, getting in the car. By the time you finally strap him in his car seat, you're ready for a nap.

The other day, the 2-year-old surprised us yet again. Out of the blue, he said to his father, "Let's make a deal." Then he grabbed Bill's right hand and shook it. I laughed as Bill (pretended to frantically) asked, "What was the deal? What did I just agree to?"

Ah~~ the fun never ends...