The Parent Trap

Tonight I was in the kichen when Rosie came in and asked for a glass of plain milk before bed.

Sure, I said. After all, she'd gotten into a chocolate milk habit with us I had begun to worry was another reflection of poor parental decision making. This was a request for plain milk.

Then Mike appeared who explained he had told Rosie just seconds before she could have water, not milk.
Oh, I said, in that case, you can have water, Rosie. Like Mike said. (Don't worry. Rosie had a glass of chocolate milk only 5 minutes before and wasn't starving or in dire need of calcium.)

She took her water and was momentarily upset with us both upon realizing we couldn't be played against one another. I've learned when we have to say no, or offer a consequence, it's best to not dwell on it because she does. So, water in hand we all went to her room, where we read her another chapter of Matilda and Rosie went to sleep feeling ok.

I also realized how smart our daughter is. Not only did she seek out a second opinion, but she played me well with the plain milk instead of chocolate milk.

After she went to bed, Mike and I both laughed about it and have docked another lesson away: avoid the trap. No matter how simple the request, make sure the other parent is in agreement.