Negotiating With Children

Now, in general, I realize that one should not negotiate with someone not too capable of rational thought. Two year olds definitely fall into that category. However, at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon, when you really need to go take a family walk around the neighborhood, and you want to keep everyone in a good mood for Nacho Night, it becomes necessary to use sneaky parental tactics. Enter - the Bugs Bunny Approach to Sensitive Parental Negotiations. This is an exact replica of the conversation I had with Monkeytoes this afternoon:

Go get your shoes on so we can go for a walk.
I don't want to go for a walk, Mommy.
I understand, but we're going anyway.
I don't want to go for a walk.
Yes, you do.
No, I don't.
Yes, you do.
No, I don't.
Yes, you do.
No, I don't.
No, you don't.
Yes, I do!
No, you don't.
Yes, I do!
Fine, then, we'll go for a walk!

Not a tantrum in sight, and Monkeytoes thoroughly enjoyed the walk. (As much as you can enjoy a walk in this incredible heat.)