Choices

Brayden is very good at asking for what he wants in a way that kind of leaves no options. Like one night I was putting him to bed and he had taken 2 toys to bed instead of the one that we allow. I told him "Brayden, you need to give one those toys back to me, you can only have one in bed". Brayden replies "Okay, I'll give you one toy back if you let me sleep on the floor or if you have another baby." Normally I would let him sleep on the floor if he really wanted to (although I don't understand why at all since their room has a hardwood floor), but it was late and I was not about to set up the sleeping bag and wait for him to get all his stuff out of his bed that he needs to sleep with! And I am totally not committing to having a #4 just to win a bedtime battle. So, I decided just to let him keep the extra toy that night!!! Chalk one up to Brayden I guess.

Then last week he was shopping with Chris for my birthday and while they were at the mall, they went to the pet store. Brayden suggested that they get me a new puppy for my birthday. Chris told Brayden he didn't think I would want a new puppy (very true!) and then Brayden said "Okay, well maybe I'll ask for one for my birthday". For the next week or so he carried a stuffed dog around the house and told me he was just going to hang on to it till he got his own, real dog to take care of. Thankfully, I think he has forgotten about the idea, because we all know who'd be taken care of that puppy, don't we?!?!

I wouldn't call him manipulative, he is just a very good negotiator and definitely knows his audience. Smart kid, that skill may serve him well as he grows up.