Cutting a Deal

There it was. Shiny, green, new. Just poised there, calling him, beckoning him.

That darn WalMart. For months Max has been dreaming of the day his parents would actually let him take home the 12 Volt motorized John Deere Tractor Mower from the store, rather than just taking him gawk at it (usually as reward for good behavior while grocery shopping). It is the dream of every 3 year old wannabe lawn boy. Never mind the two seater Escalade, the Power Quad 4 wheeler, even the motocross bike. Nothing would do but the tractor mow. And it's all we've heard about for months.

The Scooby Doo 2 Week Sleeping Chart

The value of money is not an easy thing for a 3 year old to conceptualize. I mean the literal value of money. There was no good reason his jar full of copper shouldn't be enough to bring home his dream mower. "Max that costs a lot of money" was sure to be followed by "Mom, I got monies."

So parent #1 decides that perhaps throughout the summer, a lemonade stand, selling frozen treats at parades, earning money for "extra" chores, would help him learn the literal value of money, along with other beneficial lessons like saving, work, etc. Parent #2 gives me a half mocking look and I can read his thoughts instantly: "Like selling lemonade and otter pops is going to make any sort of a dent in the price tag of this mini John Deere." (Not the point parent #1 reminds him).

Putting the final sticker on the 14th Scooby

So without any consultation with the parent trying to teach our child the value of a dollar, Parent #2 cuts a hasty, off the top of his head, deal with the child. Child can earn the "Tractor Mow" by going to bed without any help, going to sleep without any help, and by sleeping in his own bed throughout the night for 2 weeks. (Granted Parent #2 is the one who usually has to get the child to sleep.) Child happily accepts the deal and Parent #1 is off to make a Scooby Doo Sleeping Chart, complete with a visual clip art of the expectation (sleeping alone in his own bed) as well as a picture of the prize--SHAGGY driving his new Tractor Mow. I also remind Parent #2 throughout the next 2 weeks in small moments of regret that there are no take backs. He must make good on his promise.

I DID IT! Now I can go to sleep all by myself and I just earned myself a TRACTOR MOW!