Master Negotiator-in-Training

Haley loves to get her way (what preschooler doesn't?). Recently she's devised a new strategy for trying to get her way (other than the "Please mama? Please! Oh-please-oh-please-oh-please" tactic or the "I-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really want you to do XYZ" tactic). The other day I was babysitting Haleigh (1). She was napping. Haley (5) wanted to wake her up to play. We go through the "please-can-I-wake-her-up-noooooooow" routine many times each day. When she asked to wake her up, I wasn't surprised. When she didn't throw a tantrum over my "no", I was surprised. Before I could respond happily about her self-control she hopped up on a chair beside me, clapped her hands and the following conversation ensued: Haley: "Ok, mama, here's the deal. I'll give you two dollars from my piggy bank if you'll let me wake her up". Mama: "No" (trying not to laugh). Haley, hopefully: "Okay, three dollars?!" Mama: "No." Haley, more desperate: "Four dollars?" Mama: "No, Haley!" Haley, truly desperate now: "16 million dollars? I reeeeeeeally want to wake her up." Mama: "Nope! Good try though!" Tantrum. Oh well. At least she's getting creative in her old age!