In the world of parenting, negotiating with children can feel a lot like dealing with seasoned negotiators. Once you give in to one demand, it seems like a floodgate of requests opens, many of which aren’t worth the hassle. While certain rules, like being punctual for school or completing homework, are non-negotiable, some aspects can be up for discussion.
A prime example is 7-year-old Sophie Thompson, whose parents, identified as Mark and Lisa Thompson, recently shared a delightful note she crafted to negotiate a later bedtime. The comical letter quickly circulated on Reddit, showcasing Sophie’s surprisingly sophisticated bargaining skills that could rival those of adults.
Mark and Lisa explained that this was just the latest chapter in Sophie’s long-standing campaign for an extended bedtime. “Sophie has been trying to negotiate a later bedtime for months now. We had initially put our foot down when she couldn’t provide a solid reason,” Mark shared. “After we firmly told her she would go to bed early the next time she asked, she decided to find a clever workaround.”
Sophie’s approach included presenting her parents with a sealed envelope containing her negotiation proposal, insisting that she was “available for discussion” at their convenience. After deciphering her handwriting, which she has been improving, the couple couldn’t help but laugh at her creativity.
After a few days of silence, Mark and Lisa recognized her cleverness and assertiveness deserved a reward. They agreed to extend her bedtime to 8:30 p.m., but with the condition that the extra time could only be spent reading in bed. Mark emphasized, “If she’s late getting ready for school, the bedtime will revert back to 8 p.m.”
This isn’t the first time Sophie has demonstrated remarkable determination. Mark recalled an incident from when she was just 3 years old: “We told her if she didn’t eat her vegetables, she could go to bed early. She calmly changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed three hours ahead of schedule, staring at the ceiling until it got dark before finally drifting off to sleep.” It’s hard to be upset with such steadfastness.
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In summary, young Sophie Thompson’s negotiation skills are a testament to the determination and creativity of children. By navigating the world of bedtime with wit and charm, she has successfully earned a bit more freedom while teaching her parents the value of cleverness.

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