“Queen CrashGirl Rules”
Go ahead . . . Laugh At My Expense
This is a note I shared with my FB friends (before I started blogging). It was over a year ago, when CrashGirl was just 3. She was already shaping up to be quite the problem solver . . .
Me (for the 10th time): If you don’t pick up your toys they are going in the rubbish
CrashGirl: I’ll get them out
Me: It’s rubbish day in the morning, they will go to the dump
CrashGirl: Put them in the rubbish then
Me: Don’t you think Miffy will be sad at the dump?
CrashGirl: She can just come home. She would just jump out of the truck and come home
Me: Miffy doesn’t know how to get home
CrashGirl: I’ll go down there and talk to the man and tell him I want my toys back
Me: silenced (trying not to pee my pants laughing!)
One year on and she has become a full-blown negotiator. Here are her top 5 tactics
1. Using expressions for emphasis . . .
. . . even when they are wrong. After a few failed attempts to get CrashHubby out of the toilet, she returned and shouted at the door, “You have to get off, I’m STARVING”. CrashHubby of course couldn’t refuse and relinquished the toilet to our busting daughter.
2. Reminding your adversary of past favours
The other night CrashHubby promised the kids they could watch Shrek on TV. Then he realised to his horror that the test match between the Wallabies and Wales was on the other channel. CrashGirl graciously let him change the channel during the ads, each time reminding her nodding off Daddy that he could watch his rugby now.
Yesterday CrashHubby staked a firmer claim on the remote and chose what he wanted to watch. Unfortunately it was not what CrashGirl wanted to watch. And so the negotiating began. “Daddy, remember when I let you watch your rugby during the ads?”
3. The power of suggestion
This one usually arises when she wants something like dessert (which we don’t have very often). “I know, we’ll have icecream” or “Why don’t we have icecream in a cone? That’s a good idea isn’t it?”
4. Stepping it up
If her suggestions don’t elicit an answer, or the answer she wants, she just goes ahead and answers it for you, “I know, we’ll have icecream. Yes? Good. I’ll get it out!” Therefore creating her own reality, regardless of your participation (or not) in the conversation!
5. When it all goes wrong
CrashHubby asked her tonight what would she do if she didn’t get what she wanted. She thought for a few seconds then flashed her big baby blues at him and said with a wry grin, “I’ll cry”.
I think I’m going to need to sharpen up my own negotiating skills and prepare myself for future bargaining over my car keys!
Do you have a negotiator in training? What are their favourite tactics?
Laney x
Oh how I laughed! Until I realised … This is my future!!
Catherine Rodie Blagg’s last post..Black Sand Park. A review, By G (Aged 2.5)
Ha ha! I will happen ;)
lol.. Sounds like my Mr 4.. Except his involves stomping because he thinks it will automatically give him the result he wants.
Its always good to learn negotiation skills
Cobie Howe’s last post..Round and round and round we go
Ah, we haven’t had stomping yet. I’m sure she’ll pull that one soon enough ;)
Mine negotiate like that. Some negotiations are a little more slick than others but hilarious none the less. I don’t know about you but mine hear the strategies I use and then try to use them on me. Smart little buggers.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Maria Tedeschi’s last post..DO YOU BELIEVE IN OLD SOULS?
Oh yes, they are fast learners. Nothing funnier than having a mirror put up to you. Well, sometimes it’s not actually that funny!
Ahhhhh number 3 is my Miss 7 all over. Makes the suggestion. Puts it out there. And then carries through (a la number 4). What a ripper.
Alli @ Ducks on the Dam’s last post..Home and away
Such confidence (or they’re just super good at bluffing!)
Oh you have to love it!! I have my very own 4 year old and she is priceless. Her mind is simply magic – she even makes me think sometimes. :).
Caz’s last post..How to make a mummy feel like a masterchef {+a chunky giveaway – ends 30/6}
They certainly keep you on your toes. It’s great when they are truly doing their best to solve problems (the problem being they can’t get what they want!)
Master 3 says ‘OK I’ll do it, but I’ll count to 18 first’, except he can only count to about 14 so he never gets there and therefore in his mind doesn’t have to do whatever he agreed to…hmmmm.
Now that’s a new one, and very cunning too! And only 3 – you’re in trouble ;)
My Miss nearly 11 is the queen of 3 then following through with 4. She started at about CrashGirl’s age.
Unfortunately, they get better at negotiating the older they get. I’m petrified of the teenage years!
Drivelology’s last post..My life has sunk to an all time low
Oh don’t go there, I really am terrified of the teenage years too.
All of the above sounds like my house, with our Miss (bossy boots) four.
Oh yes, they can get those bossy boots on can’t they?
SO funny.
That power of suggestion one sounds a bit too familiar.
My Angus: “I know! Let’s get a milkshake at the cafe. That’s a good idea, right mummy?”
Have a great weekend, Laney!
Ronnie xo
Pink Ronnie’s last post..Wait before you wash
Thanks Ronnie, had a lovely weekend. Hope you did too. That line is exactly what we get around here. Classic!
My almost 4 year old tomboy ballerina did a wee on the bathroom floor despite being toilet trained a couple of years ago. She then used MY clean bath towel to clean it all up and then came out to tell me of her accident. She then went on to tell me that she deserved a special treat for cleaning up all the mess without having to be told! I gave her one for her clever thinking. She is always negotiating ‘special treats’. I am amazed at how their little brains think.
That’s some pretty sharp thinking by her! At least she actually did clean up ;)
My gawd, she’s a clever little thing. Chatterbox is getting there but he’s still got a way to go. He starts trying to negotiate then it gets a bit ridiculous!
Kate @ Our Little Sins’s last post..day 34 | 100 Pantone postcards project
Sounds exactly like my toddler. Its amazing she is only 2 and a half and already able to turn on the crying technique. :-(
They’re clever aren’t they?!?!?