Livin' La Vida Luna y Luca
Waterplay day at school. Luna opted out and went as royalty instead.
Ah-Go-She-Ate
We had 30 minutes to kill, so I asked the kids if they wanted to watch ONE episode of something before leaving the house.
"Yes!!!" They screamed as their tiny footsteps raced downstairs towards the TV.
"Alright! What are we going to watch?" I asked as I chased them.
Luna shouted, "Arthur!" as she jumped on the couch while Luca followed up with, "Mickey!!!"
"Guys, there's only time for one episode, so you guys need to negotiate. Figure it out and let me know."
In unison, they asked, "What's Ah-Go-She-Ate?"
"You two have to talk to each other and decide what to watch. Hopefully, it's something you're both happy with. There's only time for one episode, but the longer you take, the less time we have to watch. So hurry up."
They quite literally put their heads together and started whispering.
A few moments later, Luna turned to me sadly and said, "OK. Let's just watch Mickey." 😔
As I started navigating to Disney+, I said, "Sure, but can you tell me about your negotiation?"
"Luca just wants Mickey, and I decided to be nice..." said Luna
"That's very kind of you, Luna, but what are you getting out of this negotiation?" I asked pointedly.
"Nothing?" she said...Uncertain about where I was going with this.
"Not good enough. Go back to the table and get something that makes you as happy as Luca is about getting Mickey. TV is off until you're both happy."
Click - I actually turned the TV off for dramatic effect, lol. 😂
"Daddy! How can we both be happy? There's only time for one episode!!!"
Luna was getting anxious, and I could tell we were either about to have a full-blown meltdown or a massive breakthrough.
"You tell me!" I said playfully, trying to redirect her energy.
"Can we watch half of Arthur and half of Mickey?" she asked.
"Ask your brother."
"No. Just Mickey!" Luca said, without skipping a beat.
"WAHHHHHHH" Luna cried.
😬 Yikes. At this point, I'm thinking Luca understands negotiating better than Luna, but there's still time. He's just playing hardball. A solid strategy if you're actually in an indisputable position of power. But if the playing field is level, those are the easiest people to negotiate against. They're so focused on their one thing that they're willing to give up anything else to achieve it.
"Time's running out, Luna. Expand the pie. Ask for something else. What does he have that you want? It doesn't have to be related to TV. Think bigger."
Luna looked at Luca. Then looked at me. "Monkey?" she asked.
"Ask him."
"Luca, we can watch Mickey if I can hold Monkey." she proposed.
Context: Monkey is Luca's favorite Lovey. Can't sleep without him. Runs to him anytime he cries. It's his safety net.
Luca was visibly stunned. His eyes shifted between his Monkey and Luna a few times before he begrudgingly handed it over.
Luna looked at me, astonished, "Eeeeeeeee!!!!" 😄
They were both happy as they sang, "Mishkaa, Mooshkaa, Mickeyyy MOUSE!"
I've Created A Monster
Luna's teacher pulled me aside on Friday and asked, "Who taught this girl how to negotiate? Everything is now "Let's Negotiate!" She used to do whatever I asked, but now she's bending me to her will. Save me."
I apologized and told her teacher I'd talk to Luna about it.
The talk in the car on the way home:
"Luna, you don't have to announce the negotiation. Don't say, "Let's Negotiate" out loud before you ask for something. Just start negotiating."
"OK, Daddy... Are we having ice cream tonight after dinner?"
"What?! No. For what?"
"I just thought we could have ice cream. How about chocolate banana?
"Fine. 1 piece of chocolate banana."
"5 pieces!"
"2.."
"OK, Daddy. 2 pieces." 😘
🤦🏽♂️ Realizing I just got finessed by a 5-year-old.
Proud dad moment, but also...what have I done?
✌🏽
