One Sunday afternoon, as we lounged around at home with no imminent plans for the afternoon, the following conversation took place:

Spud: Mama, can I have chocolate?

Me: Ask Papa

Spud (pondering): Papa says to ask you

Me: OK. You get chocolate but you have to nap first.

Spud: HUH??

Me: Uh-huh. You heard me. Nap first, then you get chocolate. (I gave her a big mother of grin)

Spud: Nap? (Pause) It’s OK. I think I will have it later. After dinner, OK Mama.

Me: OK (I quickly turned around to avoid her seeing me smirk!)

It has been ages since Spud dropped her nap and that was my best attempt to convince her to get some afternoon shut-eye. I knew full well my trick would not work, but I was hoping there could be a chance it might. She obviously would have none of the nap crap and her willingness to delay her chocolate consumption spoke volumes about her liking for naps.

Cheeky little imp! She’s learning to negotiate her way, alright. And I’m learning to “forget” about giving her chocolates after dinner. *GRIN*