In the realm of parenting, negotiating with children can often feel like dealing with seasoned negotiators. Once you agree to one demand, it opens the floodgates to an array of requests, many of which may not be worth the hassle. Certain rules, such as punctuality for school, completing homework, and fulfilling chores, remain non-negotiable. However, when it comes to bedtime, there may be some room for flexibility.
Meet 7-year-old Lucy Thompson, whose parents recently discovered her remarkable ability to negotiate, leaving even seasoned adults impressed. Lucy’s parents, identified as Mark and Sarah Thompson, shared a comical note on Reddit that Lucy prepared when she sought to extend her bedtime.
For those who might find it challenging to read Lucy’s handwriting, her father kindly provided a translation. Even to an untrained eye, Lucy’s argument appeared compelling, and Reddit users were quick to agree.
Mark revealed to a popular parenting site that this was merely the latest chapter in Lucy’s ongoing campaign for a later bedtime. “Lucy has been pushing for a later bedtime for months. Sarah and I eventually decided to halt the conversation when she couldn’t provide a satisfactory reason for the extension,” he explained. “After we firmly set our boundaries about bedtime and warned her of an earlier bedtime if she continued to ask, it seems she devised a clever workaround.”
Her approach included “serving” her parents with a meticulously crafted negotiation letter, delivered in a sealed envelope. “Just before bedtime one night, she handed us her letter and stated that if we wanted to ‘discuss the contents,’ she would be available at any time,” Mark added. “After deciphering her handwriting, Sarah and I couldn’t help but laugh for a good while.”
The initial response to Lucy’s cleverness was a period of silence from both sides. “We decided not to engage with her for a few days, and she didn’t bring it up at all. We thought that such cleverness and assertiveness deserved a reward, so we opened the door to negotiations,” Mark continued. “Now, she can stay up until 8:30 p.m., but it’s conditional upon her spending that time reading in bed. If she struggles to get ready for school due to her having to make her own lunches, her bedtime will revert back to 8.”
This isn’t the first time Lucy has shown a level of conviction that one would expect from an adult. “When she was just three, we told her that if she wouldn’t eat her vegetables, she could go to bed early. She calmly got up, changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed three hours ahead of schedule, staring at the ceiling until it got dark,” Mark recounted. “It’s hard to be upset with that kind of determination.”
Clearly, children like Lucy are destined for greatness, and it’s evident that they might just take the reins of the world in the near future. If you’re interested in exploring family planning or home insemination, check out this resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For a deeper dive into couples’ fertility journeys, you might want to explore this post on artificial insemination kits. For those looking for a reliable home insemination kit, this product is highly recommended.
In summary, young Lucy Thompson’s adept negotiation skills not only secured her a later bedtime but also showcased her impressive determination. This blend of creativity and assertiveness is a reminder that kids can indeed surprise us with their capabilities.
Leave a Reply