Hostage Negotiator or Politician
I may not like it, but I’m resigned to the fact that one of these careers is in CJ’s future. This 3-year old is a MASTER of negotiation.
Take tonight, over dinner (we went out).
Me: CJ, if you stop yelling and are a good boy for the rest of dinner, you can have a chocolate.
(Yes, I’ve resorted to bribery)CJ: Five of them?
Smart… start the negotiation high, to give yourself room to meet in the middle.Me: Mmmm… maybe two of them, if you’re REALLY really good.
CJ: NO! FOUR of them!
I am NOT making this up.Me: I said two. Now stop arguing and eat your dinner.
CJ: THREE!!! (holds up three fingers in my face to emphasize his point) I want three of them!
Isn’t this one of the rules of negotiation… to wear down your opponent?Me: No. I think one is plenty. And it’ll be zero if you keep this up.
CJ: FIVE OF THEM!
Me: Fine, you’re not having any.
CJ: I DON’T WANT CHOCOLATE! I WANT GUM!!
This is another negotiation tactic… give yourself leverage by pretending you aren’t very interested in the item being discussed.Me: (trying to get him to stop yelling; the restaurant is busy and people are starting to look) CJ, stop yelling this minute.
CJ: (turns to his dad) Daddy, I want 5 chocolates.
When all else fails, start working on the weaker party
No wonder I’m so tired in the evening.
I guess the good news is that we are looking to buy a used car, and I know JUST the person to send in when it’s time to negotiate on price!
***
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed.
***
Like what you're reading? You can help me achieve my life-long dream of publishing a book by supporting this blog, which is a platform that can help me get published! (Click here to learn more about my book) There are lots of ways to show your support:
- Subscribe by RSS or Email
- Like Absolutely Bananas on Facebook
- Share this post on Facebook (click the link below "Related Posts")
- Tell a friend about Absolutely Bananas
- Leave a comment. They're like candy, but without the calories. :)
xo Jen
March 18, 2007 at 2:58 pm
That is hysterical! But don’t rule out lawyer or salesman as a profession, too. They are good at getting a “yes” from an adverse party as well! Good luck.
March 18, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Oh my! I laughed so hard, but I think I have this in my future too, so I guess I should be nice! Good luck!
March 26, 2007 at 12:09 am
This is great. As the mom of two kids, my husband and I no longer refer to this as “bribery” (which has such a negative connotation), but prefer the term “positive reinforcement”… even if it’s for chocolates or bubblegum.
Visiting from COFL.
March 26, 2007 at 12:28 am
There must be some kind of academy where they learn this stuff. Or its subliminally programmed into Blues Clues. We’ve had these same types of conversations with Daughter!
March 26, 2007 at 9:06 am
I got exhausted just reading about your conversation. LOL! I wouldn’t want to debate with him!
Here from the Carnival of Family Life
March 26, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Ah…yes…somedays I think we only get through it via brib….er…positive reinforcment. :)
Here via CoFL
March 27, 2007 at 1:06 am
Ah negotiations with a 3 year old. I negotiate for a living and I still can’t beat a 3 year old when it comes to negotiating. They sure do know all the tricks.
Here via the carnival of family life.