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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

How do kids learn

at such an early age to try and manipulate one parent over the other?

Ok I don't think she's actually consciously trying to be manipulative, she just thinks if I tell her no she'll try asking her daddy!

Lately we've been hearing this around the house:

Kayla: "Mommy outside please?"

Me: "No Kayla it is too windy out."

Then she turns to Joe, as if he hadn't been sitting there the whole time hearing our conversation, and asks, "Daddy shoes? Outside please?"

or

Kayla: "Mommy cracker (or snack) please?"

Me: "No we're going to be eating dinner."

Kayla: "Daddy ah cracker please?"

Little stinker. And she's so darn polite when making her request. She's not rude or loud or obnoxious. It's just this soft-spoken, sweet, little voice, nicely asking "please?" as if just by using please she can get what she wants. It's not always easy turning her down either!

Oh! The delay tactics at bedtime too! We take turns with the bedtime routine of putting her down for the night. So when it's time for bed she gives the one parent hugs, kisses, night nights and I love yous before running down the hallway to her bedroom. This has now become kiss, hug, then she looks at you and says "kiss" and proceeds to give another kiss followed by another hug. Usually this is repeated several times.

I told her she's lucky she's so darn adorable that she can get away with it!

32 comments:

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

They do learn young don't they? And of course she's learned that if you ask politely how can they NO? Too Cute!

Unknown said...

She sounds so precious. love your posts

Beck said...

I don't know WHERE they learn that from! It's cute when they're so little and less so when they're older.....

Anonymous said...

Too cute, I remember doing that with my parents when I was little :)

Anonymous said...

My 4-year old does something similar. At night, when it's his bedtime and I watch TV by myself, he goes to me and says, "Daddy, I'm gonna watch with you so that you will not be lonely."

Smarty-pants.


Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/

DeAnna said...

Isabella and Kayla seem so much alike. Isabella has been learning that she's not allowed to ask Daddy after Mommy has said no. :) She also likes to tell on us, like if Kenny tells her she can't have candy, she'll come to me crying saying "Daddy told me no" She's such a stinker! Oh and at bedtime, not only is it a kiss and hug, but then she will say "I want a BIG kiss, I want an alligator kiss, ....." And how can you resist just kissing them a hundred times. :)

Julie Julie Bo Boolie said...

hehehe... sounds perfectly lovely.. extra kisses ROCK.

Wait until she figures out that telling you she has to go pee will get her out of bed every time!!!

Oh fun fun fun LOL

Amy said...

Awww...I wouldn't be able to resist her! I'd be like, "Okay Kayla, your wish is my command!" My husband and I didn't quite catch on at first when our girls did this. Live and learn!

Carole Burant said...

She sounds like a typical kid to me! lol They all do that!! I guess they think one of the parents will give in! lol As for the bedtime tactics, I remember putting my boys to bed and 10 minutes later...I want a glass of water...10 minutes after that, I have to go pee...and of course the kisses and the hugs all over again! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hehe. I'd cave so quick. She is so cute!

My youngest makes it somewhat easy to say no. He's not polite; he just reaches and says, "I want this. . ." :)

Anonymous said...

They learn so fast that cuteness is the key to happiness!

Robin Green said...

Ah, manipulation!!?? Been there, had that done to me---3 times! Just stand firm and be consistent and all will be well! It doesn't help that they are so cute about it, though!

Sue Seibert said...

Hey, Michelle, what you've got is one normal kid! Sounds just like what my girls tried at Kayla's age. Just remember it's harder for you all not to give in, but it's better for all of you in the long run!

Anonymous said...

LOL! I remember those days! They do learn young. :o)

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I say that to our kids too - "it's a good thing you are so stinkin' cute!"

Kiss away Michelle! Hopefully the day will never come when they don't want our kisses anymore, but just in case I give them liberally! Besides, who can resist such soft, sweet cheeks!

What a wonderful girl you've got!

-Andrea

A Captured Reflection said...

Oh that sounds like girls! My daughter is going to be 4 in May, and this is so her. We call her 'Charm Personified'. My son who is 6 is totally different. You can't help but smile at the attempts though.

Anonymous said...

She is so cute! What a little stinker....:)

Mayhem And Miracles said...

Our kids did the SAME things...and I guess somewhere along the way, we must have relented a little because they are STILL doing it! :) I just read your last post as well and will say a prayer for you. I have several friends who have had trouble concieving and it really put into perspective for me to count my blessings in that area. I know from watching my best friend especially, how frustrating and heartbreaking that can be. I want so badly for you to get your heart's desire!

Sara said...

hahaha I tell the same thing to Nathaniel! I swear that is what saves his butt at times ;)

Sandra said...

Sounds like my kids LOL My hubby gets so frustrated because they ask one of us and if the answer is no, they go to the other and ask again OR say that the first one said it's ok LOL

Sue said...

Oh -that's too funny and cute. Kayla does the same thing. Lately she's pulling the "I feel sick, I need to watch Dora".

Amazing how they pick this stuff up. Sometimes kids are just too smart for their own good - or ours.

:)

Dori (Aviva's mommy) said...

They are so smart they can figure howto get what they want at such a young age. Afraid to see what it will be like when they are teenagers.

HUGS!

Cheryl Wray said...

Oh yeah!! they know how to work it, don't they? lol

Unknown said...

She's so cute, she'd get away with anything at my house!

Tammy and Parker said...

She is so darn cute! I'm pretty sure she'd have me wrapped around her finger in a matter of minutes.

Annie said...

Little doll! I would have a hard time saying no to her too! She is just adorable.

Linda said...

Well she certainly is adorable. And I think they all come "pre-programmed" to know all those little tricks.

Anonymous said...

LOL too funny!! I think when kids hit the age 2, they just know how to stretch things like bedtime out a bit!!...And being absolutely adorable helps too...LOL

Catch said...

haha Michelle.....they do learn that very young dont they? Bless their little hearts...my daughter is 24 and still doing it! lol

Anonymous said...

What is it with "our" kids they are just so darn cute its hard to punish them...hope it doesnt come back to bite me:)
Denise

PastormacsAnn said...

They do the learn of manipulation very early.

She smart & adorable!

S. said...

Oh my, I would have a hard time saying no to all that cuteness! Yes, they learn young how to manipulate us, LOL!