We all feel better when we have choices in life.
I find this particularly true with 3 year olds.
“Did I have breakfast?” Biz asked the other morning.
My husband assured him that he did. He also noted that strawberries and cream Biz insisted on having (and nothing else) were probably not enough.
He was right.
The options I gave to Biz: breakfast bar, cereal, apple, banana, pop tart.
Biz looked at me, smiled and asked if he could come up with his own options. I reluctantly agreed.
Biz’s options: pistachios (that I would have to shell for him), apple, Goldfish.
“How about the apple?” I asked.
“No. I really want the Goldfish,” he said smiling. He knew I wasn’t going to go for Goldfish so early in the morning.
We decided it was best to go with the breakfast bar.
At least he tried. Kind of like when he told daycare that the naps they made him take were too long. He was given the choice to stay up a little later with the older kids to get an extra book before nap time.
He declined. He was too tired.
Sometimes, it’s the mere concept of a choice that’s good enough.
Photo Source: Dreamstime
follow jennifer
Nice negotiating.
Stopping by from SITS.
3 year olds love to negotiate!
I’m a little behind you guys. But my 2 year old has pretty well mastered the art of negotiating! There is no activity during the day that doesn’t start with “But what about this…?”
Ah, yes. I used to get a lot of “but, but, but….” while he was thinking of an argument.
Yeah, offering choices to a pre-schooler is definitely a balancing act. My youngest hasn’t learned the art of negotiation yet, but he definitely responds better when given a choice.
I think Biz was born negotiating!
I’ll have to remember all this when my baby gets older 🙂 Thanks for visiting my blog for Sits day I appreciate it Jennifer-
You’re welcome, Lisa. Happy to have discovered your blog!