Talking sensibly with kids

"Mom, can we get these swim goggles? They are the perfect goggles, I've tried this kind before and these are what I want."

"No, not today. They look like nice goggles, but this is an overpriced resort hotel gift shop, not the best place to buy them."

"But we're about to go swimming, I need them now!"

"The answer is no, we are not buying goggles right now."

"You are totally ruining everything for going swimming. We might as well not go. I'm going to have a terrible time."

"We aren't getting the goggles. You will still have a fun time swimming."

"Why can't we get the goggles?"

"Because I said no."

"That isn't a reason. I really need them. Give me five good reasons why you won't buy them for me!"

"I have five good reasons for you."

"They'd better be really good reasons!"

"They are. One: because I said 'no.' Two: because I said 'no.' Three: because I said 'no.' Four: because I said 'no.' And five: because I said 'no.' "

We didn't get the goggles. We walked over to the pool, the kids lugging along discontentedly. When we arrived, we got towels, and also we noticed a big blue basket full of toys for children to use: floaties, sand toys, buckets, watering cans and...goggles.

Laurie Niles also can be found at http://violinist.com