January 26, 2005 | Offspring: ecstasy and agony
Her: I want toast.
Me: Okay.
Her: No, wait. I want french toast for lunch. No toast now.
Me: Okay. How about a banana?
Her: Apple.
Me: How about a banana?
Her: Apple.
Me: Hey, I know! How about… a banana!
Her: I. Want. An. Apple.
Me: Okay. I’m not cutting it up for you.
Her: Fine. I’ll have a banana.
Me: Excellent choice.
Who knew motherhood would give me everything I needed to prepare me for the subtleties of contract negotiations? I’m so ready for this afternoon’s call.
Posted by Mir @ 10:10 am
January 26th, 2005 at 11:55 am
My kid does not do negotiations yet.
Our conversation is something like “apple!” “no, banana!” “no, apple” “no, banana!” “NO! APPLE!” “FINE! Here’s an apple, now SHUT UP!”
Teach me, oh wise one.
January 26th, 2005 at 11:59 am
If my kids ask for something I’m not offering, I say “fine, go get it.”
Then they do.
Somehow, I don’t know if I’m winning or giving in. Most days it’s hard to tell. Especially when i offer an apple and they demand ice cream.
January 26th, 2005 at 12:10 pm
oh yes…the great art of negotiation…how sad is it that half the time I’m hip deep in it before I even realize that my expert oldest has taken me down this path…HA He is GOOD.
And oh how he hates to have the deal broken off by a swift and authoritative…”STOP…I am the mom…here is the ONLY choice…it is this or nothing.” That really breaks a guy’s ego…*grin*…should I feel bad about that?
January 26th, 2005 at 2:29 pm
That is very adorable. Smart kid you have there. Just wait until it’s a car you guys are negotiating!
January 26th, 2005 at 4:17 pm
Congrats on the job! I’m so happy for you! It’s amazing what motherhood prepares us for. Sometimes you just don’t realize it. Good luck on the negotiating, with the kids AND the new job!
January 26th, 2005 at 10:35 pm
We’ve had the same conversation in my house many times. I don’t let them get their own apple though. At 12, 8 and 4, they are under the mistaken impression that they’re old enough to know how to slice something without taking out a digit. I’m not comfortable with letting them take that risk. Call me crazy.
January 27th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
Teach me, oh wise one.