Every day with a 3 year old is about negotiation. Katie seems particularly adept at negotiating. But since she's our only child, I don't have much to compare to. I'm not sure if its a good sign or a bad one that I find myself negotiating so often with my 3 year old. It could either mean that we are working to find some compromise......Or that I'm a total softy. Negotiation takes patience! Virtually everything I say during a given day is met with rebuttal and a counter offer.
These are some of our typical discussions...
In the morning...
[Me] Katie, it is time to get dressed so let's go upstairs.
[Katie] No mommy I'm not ready to get dressed yet. I want to stay in my nightgown a little while longer. (She also says, but why do I have to get dressed?)
[Me] Katie, I said its time to get dressed. Let's go.
[Katie] Mommy, can I please have a few more minutes to play before we get dressed?
[Me] Okay, fine - 2 minutes....you get to play for 2 more minutes. I'm setting the timer for 2 minutes.
After Dinner...
[Katie] Mommy, I've been a really good girl today so I think we should go to Sweet Frog and get a treat. [Me] No, we can't go to Sweet Frog tonight. Maybe another time.
[Katie] Mommy, we have popsicles in the freezer - how about I get one of those for my treat?
[Me] Well, you have been a good girl today. I guess we can have a popsicles and eat it outside.
Before Bed...
[Me] Tonight we are going to read 2 books before bed. Please pick out which 2 books you would like to read.
[Katie] No mommy, I want to read 5 books.
[Me] Katie I said 2, not 5.
[Katie] How about 3 books....I'll pick out 3.
[Me] Okay, we will read 3.
*** How can you say no to a child who wants to read?
I realize as I read through these examples that I cave, quite often, to Katie. I have found though that if I give her two extra minutes in the morning, for example, she is MUCH more cooperative with me. If I don't give her the 2 minutes - it is an all out war of wills.
Matt and I have noticed a decline in the "terrible twos" behavior. (By terrible twos behavior I mean the defiance just for the sake of defying). I don't know if the change is just a product of her getting older - or if it is because she's getting her way a good portion of the time - ha!
I want to give Katie everything she needs for comfort and development of a healthy self-esteem, but I don't want to flat out spoil her. Such a careful balance....and one I'm forever trying to figure out.
So, this last picture has nothing to do with the post....just Picture Proof that my Bug will climb ANYTHING!!!
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