Persuasion

Audrey and her little neighbor friend have been begging to have a sleep over for a few months now. I, along with the other set of parents, have been hesitant to say yes, because, as I have learned from experience, once you open that particular gate, you never, ever get it closed again. So every time they have asked, they have been told no, either by me or by the other girl's parents. Tonight, they asked yet again, and in a moment of weakness, or stupidity, I told them it was okay with me if it was okay with the other girl's parents.

Their response was classic. Their heads slowly turned to each other, both pairs of eyes big and wide, and both mouths hanging open. They could not believe their good fortune- their persistence had paid off. The little friend said to Audrey, "Lets go call my parents!" Audrey, in all her wisdom, said, "No, we need to go ask in person. They need to see our big eyes begging at them."

I'm glad to see my daughter's budding awareness of the power of politics.

Unfortunately, the puppy-dog-eyes trick didn't work. The other parents held their ground, and agreed only to a late night play date, rather than a full fledged sleep over. Okay by me, especially after two hours of two loud and rambunctious girls rumbling through my house. This way, it will all be over in 45 minutes!!