My daughter is ready to grow up. She’s in a hurry to be a pre -schooler. Whenever I drop her brother off at school, she pulls out the chair at the table by the door and sits down and starts flipping through books. That’s only on the days that she doesn’t just run right in and attempt to join the class for circle time. Her little plan is working. She’s won the hearts of my son’s teachers. They can’t get enough of her. His classmates all know her by name and love to play with her after school. She fits right in with those four year old’s. She’s not even two yet.
Recently, I picked her brother up from school and she ran in the class like she loves to do. I was talking to the teacher and she ran to play with the toys. She immediately fell in love with a stroller they had. She’s wanted one for a while now. I meant to get her one for Christmas but, I totally forgot. When it was time to go, I asked her to put the stroller back and she took off running with it. She was blazing down the sidewalk with the stroller! I got her to get it back in the classroom and had to peel her little fingers off of it, one by one. She crumbled. I felt so bad because I know she loves strollers! She was so mad that she went to the teacher to be consoled – crying her eyes out. My son’s teacher saw just how much my baby girl wanted that stroller and cleaned it off and gave it to her.
She has been glued to that thing ever since. It’s the first thing she wants to play with in the morning and the last thing she plays with before she goes to bed. What can I say? She knows how to get what she wants. Need a little help getting what you want? Take these tips from my daughter.
1 -Ask for what you want
2 – Cozy up to the right people (tears may be required ;))
3 – Don’t go down without a fight
4 – Demand what you want
5 – Once you get it, ENJOY! – You’ve earned it!
Once again, I’ve learned way too much from my kids. They are great reminders for me about living life fully. What do you think of these negotiating tactics? Would this work to get you closer to what you want? Tell me in the comments!
53 Comments on Negotiation : Toddler Style
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OMG, I was just thinking about this the other day when my 3-year-old was throwing a fit – hahaha! No qualms about asking for what they want, for sure. 🙂
Hannah recently posted…It’s complicated…
Hilarious! These are great tips- especially “enjoy it once you get it.” Pure gold. And congrats to your daughter!
Anne Omland recently posted…10 Surefire Ways To Guarantee Your Employees Quit
This is fantastic! We seem to lose the ability (or confidence) to go after what we want. Much can be learned from a determined two-year-old. So great. 🙂
I have a child that is almost three years old too. They are smart and can figure out what they want. They will also do anything they can to get it too.
She sounds like quite the charmer! I think cozying up to the right people is the key … the rest of the steps won’t work otherwise.
Your daughter is definitely wise beyond her years. Hopefully, her determination to reach her goals will stay with her for the rest of her life.
It amazes me how persistent and resilient of failure little kids are. What happens when we grow up? So many of us lose this ability to pursue our goals relentlessly.
Tatyana @ Baby Meal Plans recently posted…Are you Part of Homemade Baby Food Battle?
Children are GREAT teachers. I am amazed daily at the lessons I learn as a parent. Great story.
hmm if i thought i could get away with it i just might try it. actually i think i do try it from time to time
Veronica Spriggs recently posted…Mira Instant On Digital Bathroom Scale Review
I never really tried to negotiate with my boys when they were toddlers. I asked them to do something and just waited out the tantrum when they didn’t want to do it. They always came around 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…Easy Ways to Burn Calories Throughout the Day
Our boys are good at negotiating. It’s the eyes they get me every time! Little stinkers LoL
Sandra (at) Coasahmom (dot) com recently posted…When life gives you peaches , you make pie. #Labordaymovie
My daughter follows the same guidelines! I think that they have meeting when we aren’t looking.
Carly Bellard recently posted…The fairy path
You hit the nail on the head with this one…and your daughter is precious!!!! When we moved into our house last year, our new neighbor made chocolate chip cookies and brought them over. Now whenever my son sees her, he tells her how much he loves her cookies and how he hopes she’ll make more for us soon! She almost always brings some over within the next 24 hours!
Lisa Joy Thompson recently posted…Teachers Change Lives: Help a Teacher Make Even More of a Difference!
I should use the tears thing more 🙂 Haha, gotta love kids!
Christie recently posted…DIY Mother’s Day Gift Idea + FREE Thyme Printable Gift Tags
If you don’t stand up for what you want, no one else will! She’s a cute stroller=owner!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama recently posted…The @21cCincinnati Museum Hotel
Don’t go down without a fight ” yes this is so true! She is adorable, love the stroller picture.
susan recently posted…Check out Macy’s Friends & Family sale! Save 25% off Your Purchase #Macys25
Very sweet post! Don’t take no for an answer! Love this.
Krystal recently posted…Spring Seafood Salad Recipes
So cute. That really is how toddlers are. We all could learn something.
Cuteness! We have a similar dynamic at our house with little brother wanting to do everything big sister does. Maybe he’ll potty train easily from watching her. I can dream, right?
Jenn recently posted…Celebrate Mother’s Day with eBay and Win! #eBayMom
HA! I love it! She knows what she wants, and is ready to take the world by storm.
Isabella Grey recently posted…Delightful Dragons
Children will resort to almost anything to get what they want. They can be very persistent. I think when we reach adulthood, we may have lost some of that drive.
Katy Rawson recently posted…Save with Macy’s Friends & Family Sale
It’s amazing how much in life comes to you when you ask for what you want. Kids are so focused, and unabashedly one sided, so it’s a great refresher to read this article.
That is really too funny! In 10 years she will beg to NOT have to go to school. It’s like how children hate taking naps, but adults would give anything for s siesta!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…WEDNESDAY ROUNDUP #23
I’m always amazed just how much children can teach! I’m trying to teach my son to tell me exactly what he wants, hopefully this will minimize his tantrums 🙂
Meagan recently posted…Braided Pizza Recipe
Sage advice delivered in a hilarious way! Thanks – I’m going to put those steps to work immediately.
That will serve her well when she gets older! It’s so cute how special that stroller is to here. She worked hard for that. 🙂
Liz Mays recently posted…I’ve Got Baby Groables!
I’d have to say it would depend on the situation. I’m with you until don’t go down without a fight. It’s the next step – demand – where I’d have to know more.
Typical youth, too funny! I’m not sure that I’d call it negotiating though.
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick recently posted…Win a $500 Shopping Spree in the Havertys Pin it To Win It Contest
Haha. I love it. I’ve learned so much from my kids and grandkids, especially how free they are to just be themselves. They’re awesome at negotiating, too, and getting their needs met.
Leanne Chesser recently posted…7 Ways Not Knowing & Living Your Life Purpose Could Be Keeping You Stuck
That is so nice of the teacher! And you totally got it – my son is a master negotiator!
Love. Asking, Tears, Enjoy. Repeat. Going to try that today, I will let you know how it goes. 🙂
Kim recently posted…Never Let The Thing You Want …
Too cute. I love how toddlers get hooked to one toy they love.
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) recently posted…Creating a new Spring wardrobe with Gymboree
Your little girl is so cute!I love her approach to the world. I am going to give it a try the next time I need to get things done.
Rachee recently posted…Write a Review Wednesday: Big Pigs #warw
I’ve found that negotiating with toddlers produce either really BAD results or really GOOD results. We have to work on compromising…lol.
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} recently posted…Old El Paso® Entrees – Quick and Easy WeekNight Meal #NoWayThatsFrozen #spons #PlatefullCoOp
GREAT connection! I need to take a few lessons from my tenacious son as well! Wow kids really go after what they want with gusto!
We can learn so much from kids. they are so honest and tells it or asks it like it is 🙂
Oh toddlers. The best and worst years at the same time. It is an everyday learning experience. My only complaint is that what works on one toddler doesn’t always work on the next!
Keikilani recently posted…T-Ball Opening Day 2014
We can learn a lot of from kids! I don’t have any yet, but love reading stories about how their minds work.
Tracey recently posted…$450 PayPal Cash Giveaway!
This reminds me so much of my kids 🙂
Jess recently posted…Current Blog Post Specials
How nice of the teacher! Glad she’s still enjoying it.
Shell recently posted…Expectations and Confidence: Pour Your Heart Out
My kid is the clepto from his pre-school. I think I return toys daily.. I try not to give in to his cries but as you can tell I do.. LOL
Candy @ Candypolooza recently posted…RSVP for the #KoolOff Twitter Party 5/6
She sure knows what she wants! And she was quite intelligent in buttering the important people up before asking for it 😉
That was really nice of the teacher. I agree persistance pays off!
Toni recently posted…Bath and Body Products For The Whole Family
We can learn so much from children, this is a great lesson.
Krystal Bernier recently posted…3 Tips I Learned During My First Pregnancy
Haha…toddlers are master negotiators if you ask me! Add the fact that they’re so stinkin’ cute and it’s almost impossible to say no.
Amanda Her recently posted…Allstate Breaks New Ground with Hispanic Teen Drivers #VamosConCuidado
Can you really ever negotiate with a toddler? LOL what an adorable post
Mommy2jam recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
My nephew has always been a good negotiator from a young age. But, if he thinks you’re really upset or sad he always caves!
Chrysa recently posted…Relish! Menu Planning FREE Trial + Reader Giveaway
Too funny! I was like your daughter when I was little, I was always rushing to grow up (in fact, I still am for some reason) and I LOVED “mom” things like having dolls and strollers. She’s so cute!
Chelsea recently posted…a day at the races! what i’d wear…
Toddlers and preschoolers are good with the tears. Ack!
Marina recently posted…Shopping for the Travel Mom at Best Buy (#GreatestMom)
Amazing what you can learn from a toddler.
Judy Charlotte recently posted…Ruby Weight Loss
Nice post Camesha! Your tips are so simple but so exactly correct. At times I’ll find myself frustrated at circumstances, before I realize I never communicated to others what I needed. This post was a great reminder that in order to get what you need and want in life, you have to communicate and not give up on those things that are most important to you Thank you for the reminder!! 🙂
April recently posted…How a Conversation with my Young Self Reminded Me to Play Big
Soo true. Loved this lesson Camesha. Also I really feel my negotiation skills have got sharper being the referee for some of their squabbles, I’m sure its great training for UN peace keeping.
Your daughter is SO adorable! I love this story.
I definitely need to be more like your daughter because I generally do take NO for an answer. I’m not the type of person who will continue to ask, ask in a different way, or be persistent. And, I know that works! Guess I need to start improving my persuasion and negotiation skills!
Thanks for these tips and reminder that sometimes what we want won’t come easy and we really do need to fight for it!
Jennifer Kennedy recently posted…4 Steps to Up Your Productivity Game + Worksheet
Haha You have a point. I need to apply my son persistence to my everyday life.
Teems recently posted…The Kind of Motherhood I Can Relate To