I often make deals with Sophie, in order to avoid tantrums. For example, “Sophie, let’s make a deal. If you eat five more green beans, you can have dessert. Deal?” Or, “Sophie, let’s make a deal. If you pick up your toys and go potty and wash your hands, we’ll go to the park. Deal?” She loves making deals so she almost always says “deal.” We even shake on it (her favorite part).
Today I told her we were going to go to the library, after I finish my cup of coffee and get everyone ready. She wanted to watch “Cars,” the movie, while I caffeinated myself and got everyone dressed. I told her no and that she could play with toys until we were ready to go. A couple minutes later she said this:
“Mommy, let’s make a deal. I watch ‘Cars’ and then we go to the library. That’s a good deal, OK? You let me watch ‘Cars’ and then we can go to the library. Deal?”
I don’t think she quite understands.
Or, maybe, she does.
“Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks.” —Edward Koch