Negotiations

Maybe being a kid in a large family isn't always a walk on the beach. They have to share more, they don't get as much one-on-one time with their folks, maybe there's even less money to go around.

But it has its advantages. There's a certain skill-set that is built when one grows up surrounded by sibs.

Take the conversation I overheard a couple nights ago. Julie was at a friend's house and twilight was descending. Time to get Annabelle into the barn, but that was Julie's job (and let me just add, the most hated job in this household).....

Me: Hey guys? Julie's not here, so someone's going to need to take Annabelle.
Daniel: Not me. I helped her this morning b/c you wanted eggs.
Rosie: I don't want to!
James: I just took two big bags to Mom's car!
Patrick: Look, let's figure this out. How 'bout if we each chip in one star.
(I give out stars for chores, etc, that they can trade in for late bedtime, extra screens, etc)
Rosie: Plus whoever does it, we can do their chore for them.
Me: And I wouldn't mind sweetening the pot with a pack of Trident.
Daniel: OK, I'll do it. I have dishwasher.
Patrick: OK, thanks. We'll all empty the dishwasher for you and you get six stars and a pack of gum.


Done.

Julie actually ended up coming home a little earlier than planned, so she just emptied the d/w instead of the others doing it.

Now come on. In a world of me first, gimmme-gimme-gimme, you can't tell me these kids aren't going to have an advantage in understanding the art of negotiation.




















Voting for me requires no negotiations. Just a click of this button. I'll give you a star.