Big Spender

Liam has always been one to try to negotiate his way out of things he doesn't like. "Mommy, can I be done with my soup if I eat four more carrots?" "Daddy, if I put my clothes away, will you read a book with me?"
Tonight it was time for Liam to put on pajamas, but he was having too much fun playing a game on the computer. He wanted to be allowed to play on the computer again after getting on his pajamas. We saw several of his usual negotiation tactics: whining, then begging, even some waterworks with repetitive "please"s. Then he pulled a new card out of the deck, hugging my arm and saying, "Pleeeease Mommy? I'll give you most of my money."
You know those moments when as a parent, you're just not supposed to laugh? Usually I can contain it, but this was just too much for me. I laughed so hard that there were tears in my eyes. John joined in, and as hard as he tried not to, so did Liam. Trying to bribe me was enough, but it was even funnier to me that he wouldn't give up all of his piggy bank money, just most of it. Maybe he does have a future in negotiations after all.