Cathy in the Wright

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

Last night on the way home from the cabin, I told the boys that as soon as we got in the front door, it was time to put on pajamas, brush teeth, and get to bed. The Senator put up all the usual arguments: it's not 9 o'clock yet! It's still light outside! I'm not tired!

When he found my resolve unchanged, he slumped in his car seat and the tears started to well up in his eyes. He looked at me and with a voice that was hovering on the edge of crying he gave it one last shot:

Moooom. If you let me stay up later, I'll give you ten dollars from my bank.

Well what is a Mom to do? How could I see those big, sad blue eyes in my rear view mirror and not cave into that touching bit of bargaining?

Unfortunately for him, ten bucks doesn't buy a lot of extra time. After he paid me, he got to stay up long enough to brush his teeth, put on his pajamas, and pick up some toys he forgot to put away earlier.

Next time he'll remember to negotiate a better deal for himself.

Posted by Cathy at July 8, 2005 03:25 AM