The Negotiator

Molls is a pretty good kid. She doesn't throw temper tantrums (very often) or cry if she doesn't get her way. What she does is negotiate. Every little thing.

If I say, "It's time for a bath," Molly will say, "Bath tomorrow." If I say, "No, it's time for a bath now," she will say "Bath after dinner."

If she tries to leave the dinner table and I say, "You gotta eat more," she'll say, "3 more bites." So I'll counter with "10 bites" or "Finish your plate" and we'll end up meeting in the middle at 5 or 7. Or she'll ask if she can sit on my lap to eat. There's always something more that she wants.

I can't let her watch one show or read one book without getting a request for another. I can't ask her to put down a toy without hearing, "5 more minutes." Oh Molls. I'll fight her on some things. But I'll never say no when she asks, "One more kiss?"