Deal or No Deal...

“Deal or no Deal”, it is more then a TV show it is my son’s favorite pastime. When my son wants to do something, or get some toy he can’t live without or have a whole cake for desert and my wife and I become the “Evil Parent” and say “NO” we become the next lucky contestant on “Let’s make a deal”….

So when my son gets an incorrect answer to his request to go to bed he becomes the host of this great show of skill and negotiation. We start off with offering us two or three “choices”, which amazingly are all choices that he benefits from such as he can watch 5 more TV shows, or we can read 4 more chapters to him or worse case he can watch 5 more shows and be read 4 more chapters to him, deal?

If the answer from the unwilling parent is “No” then the real negotiation begins, now he doubles his initial request and again goes for the sale with a firm “deal”? If Dad doesn’t give in and says no then he takes his case to Mom, which is considered “Arbitration” in most courts….

All I want to know is where do toddlers learn the art of negotiation, is there pre-school curriculum on the art of litigation and how to make persuasive arguments that your parents can not counter that we as parents are not aware of? Why is it I can’t my son to understand that he needs to cover his mouth when he sneezes but somehow he is capable of negotiating union contracts at age 5?

mrsderv, miniderv, derv

The boys showing their muscles....

When is my little boy going to talk

When my son started to make sounds that my wife and I were positive were words we were so excited, we long to hear our child speak. Heck let’s be honest maybe his first words would be…..

“Hello, Dear parents, thank you for doing such a great job to date on raising me and I am forever appreciative of all of your hard work. I would also like to apologize for the late nights, the puking, those early morning wake-up calls, I owe you…”

But nope, no such luck, so I guess we have to wait for that thank you.

So we waited, and then the magical words began to come out. In the case of our son the speaking started out a little slow since why would someone need to speak when they have two perfectly good servants (a.k.a Parents) to wait on him and these servants don’t need to understand English to perform their work.

But, once our son started talking something strange happened, he never STOPPED….

So one must ask why again did we want him to talk? If you don’t know the answer to that then maybe you can help me with my next question. I have been reviewing the anatomy books, searching online and I can’t seem to find the Mute button, hell I can’t even find the volume?

Please help me, where is this button located?

Thanks
Tim

Yes, I am still a parent and I have a lot of catching up to do...

Ok, I am still a parent and Alex is now 5 (or almost 5 and a half if you asked him). I have neglected these updates so I will make it a point bring everyone up to date on how things are going and the joys of raising your twin as a toddler.....

Tim