The Art of Compromise

Over the last week or so, I've been awakening to the art of compromise. 

It all started one evening when I told Mommy that I was finished with dinner and wanted to leave the table.  The rest of my family was still eating, so Mommy told me that I needed to sit at the table a little bit longer.  I responded with a very determined, "No.  I'm done."    Mommy said that she would set the timer for five minutes, and I could get down when it went off. 

My response?

"No. Not five minutes." 

Mommy's response?

 "How long do you think I should set it for?"

"Two minutes."

"We'll do three."

"Okay."

Little did Mommy know that this one coversation would be the gateway to my new habit of wheelin' and dealin'.  That lady really didn't know what she was getting herself into!

Here are a few pictorial examples:

 Mommy and Daddy are staunch "no socks with sandals" people.  But this past weekend, I absoultely refused to take off my frilly socks (I had worn them to a wedding earlier in the day) when it was time to go to dinner.  So, Mommy and Daddy decided that they could bend the rules in favor of peace.

This may not look like compromise to any of you, but it definitely was. 

When I got home from the aforementioned wedding, I quickly took out my Little People figurines for some play time.  As we were getting ready ready to leave the house for the (also) aforementioned dinner, Mommy told me I needed to clean up my Little People. 

"Noooo!" I yelled in her general direction. 

That little exclamation was met with a firm, "KK, you need to obey. Mommy said to clean up your Little People."

Tears welled up in my eyes.  Mommy had pulled out the 'o' card.  I knew what that meant: respond appropriately or receive an appropriate consquence.   I made my argument quickly, so as not to waste any negotiating time. 

"But, it's her wedding!" I cried out.

At first, it looked as if my efforts at a compromise were unfruitful.  Then, I saw Mommy's face soften (probably with a little silent prodding from Daddy) and heard the wonderful words, "Okay, the wedding can stay today."

Success!