Negotiating with a 2 Year Old

Last night we left the fair a little later than expected, which meant we were never going to make the girls’ regular 8:30 bedtime.  This meant I had a slightly cranky toddler in the backseat, who was adequately hopped up on funnel cakes.  There was pretty much no way to make her happy.  Halfway home, Greenleigh began asking for her new BFF, Dora the Explorer.  The conversation went a little something like this:

Greenleigh:  Want Dooo-aaahhh.  Have Dooo-aaahhh?

Erajh:  You know what honey?  We will all go upstairs and watch Dora together when we get home.  That will be fun, right?

Greenleigh:  Okay!

[30 seconds later]

Greenleigh: Want Dooo-aaahhh?  Ipod?  (Yes, my 2 year old knows what an iPod is, exactly what it does, and that my husband downloaded Sesame Street and Dora for her.)

Me:  No sweetie, the iPod is at home.  We will watch Dora when we get home.

Greenleigh:  Yay!  Dooo-aaahhh!

Me:  How about some yummy crackers?  Would you like some crackers?

Greenleigh:  Dooo-aaahhh!

Me:  Okay, we’ll watch Dora when we get home.

[1 minute later]

Greenleigh:  Dooo-aaahhh?  Ninnie?  Ninnie Nouse?

Me:  Okay honey, when we get home.  How about we sing a song until we get home?  What about Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?  That’s your favorite song.  Twinkle, twinkle little star…

Greenleigh:  Dooo-aaahhh!

Me:  How about we do something else until we get home?  What about itsy-bitsy spider?  You love him, right?  Itsy-bitsy spider went up the…

Greenleigh:  DOOO-AAAHHHH!

She’s a hell of a negotiator.  The art of compromise is lost on her.