Yesterday in the car:
K: I want a piece of gum.
Me: No.
K: Yes.
Me: No, you already had a lolly at Kit's house.
K: Then I won't talk to you ever again.
Me: OK, I'm here if you change your mind.
L started crying at this point because she had sensed a sweet in the offing with no additional work on her part and letting go is hard.
Ralf chimed in with a story of a study someone did with five year olds, which is K's age. They put one marshmallow in front of each child and gave them a choice: eat it now or wait three minutes and get two marshmallows.
Years later they re-interviewed the same kids, now grown up, and found that the ones who could wait were far more successful and happy than the ones who couldn't.
K: You mean if they waited three minutes they got two marshmallows instead of one?
Ralf: That's right.
Thoughtful pause.
K: Can we go there now?
This morning while I was drinking my coffee:
L (who is three): Mommy, I want another cookie.
Yes, people, I bribe my kids with cookies in the morning so I can finish my coffee in peace.
Me: Can you wait about three minutes until I finish my coffee? Then I'll get you a cookie.
L: If I wait three minutes I want two cookies.
Oh, and a new post over at MOG: http://ls-workgirl.blogspot.com/
July 23, 2009
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Ah the joys of psychology and cookies!
ReplyDeleteShe's catching on!
ReplyDeleteA tactician is born!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this study. My older boy who scores great but lower than his younger brother on standardized tests could definitely wait for the 2 marshmallows. The younger boy who scores off the charts never could wait for 2.
ReplyDeleteI think the older boy will probably be more successful. He is patient and reflective.
Smart kid, that L. Already negotiating based on scientific data.
ReplyDeleteA child that listens is a scary thing... ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour post make me laugh so hard. I loved it. You aren't getting anything past those two kids!
ReplyDeleteThat is fabulous! But I am not telling my kids - they would SO use it in their favour...
ReplyDeleteYour girls could so easily rule the world. Stay on their good side.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd just cut to the chase and offer to provide two cookies in 10 minutes... take it or leave it! :)
ReplyDelete