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Blog Entry 108 of 333 Father Knows... Something. Let's figure out what.

This is my outlet to share with the world all the things I've learned - and continue to learn - about being the Father to 3 young children. But I should warn you that my experience is probably NOT yours: my wife and I are in the process of adopting a sibling set of 3 - all 6 years old and younger - while in our 40's. We've heard that, "it keeps you young," but so far, it has mostly kept us tired... But like any parent, our kids teach us something new every day and I hope to share at least something here with you at that same pace. The entries will be short - time constraints will probably keep it at or around a mere 200 words - but as they say, brevity is the soul of wit. Let's hope I can create some brevity here. So if you read something you like, please leave a comment. If you read something you don't, please just leave. (Just kidding - I'd love to hear from critics as well.)

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Fatherknows

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When kids start negotiating - look out

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Contributed by: Chris Stone on 4/30/2007

We always knew this day would come, but still, we put off the dirty business of having to deal with it until it was an ugly reality. Until it became so obvious that we could no longer ignore it.

And so we find ourselves now: D-Man has learned the fine art of negotiation, and how to win at it. With us. Or so he thinks...

Earlier in the day, Mommy presented him with a clear choice: either you clean up the toys or you go to time out. I was unaware of these options when I came home to find D-Man kneeling in a chair and mumbling something about 'picking up toys,' but as it was explained to me, I caught onto the routine pretty quickly.

Which could not be said of D-Man, apparently. His choice was to clean up the mess he'd made or to sit in "solitary," and he chose the lazier of the two. But that means a parent has to enforce it and that's not always the first option.

So I gave him another chance, escorted him into his room with the admonition to "clean up toys." and he did so and with a maximum of effort against a minimum of respect for my decision.

And he proved it later that evening by refusing to help out and pick up the toys he'd spread across the room. Even given the choice between clearing the carpet and leaning on his new-found negotiation skills, when pressed for an answer to whether he'd rather "pick up toys" or "go to bed," he - unwisely - chose "go to bed."

And that's exactly what we made him do. He wasn't rocked, he missed snack and he had to be corrected numerous times. But he got to sleep, so it's a "WIN" for his future.

In case you're keeping score at home...

Chris Stone is a slightly different - hopefully better - Father and man than he was yesterday...

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Chris Stone

Arvada , CO

Chris Stone has posted 333 blog entries and 145 comments since joining on 7/6/2006. Chris Stone 's average blog rating is 5.

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