Options

On the way home in the car:

C: "Ok, Little One.  Since we stayed and played so long today, when we get home we don't have time for stories. Straight to bed when we get there."

LO: "Umm...Mommy I don't think so.  I might not be sleepy for sleepin time".  

C: "Ok, well. Only you know how much rest you need, so you can decide that.  You may choose to take a long nap, or a little one.  Or you can just lay in the bed quietly and rest a bit, that's ok too.  But it is rest time when we get home."

LO: "....I think I might do a ballerina show instead."

C: "You may do that after, sure. But when we get home, you have three options: long nap, short nap, or rest quietly.  You choose whichever option you think is best; it's up to you.  Mommy is telling you what your options are."

LO: "Hmm.  No, Mommy, these are not MY options.  These are your 'deas, so these are YOUR options.  You can take naps, ever you want to.  I'm tellin' YOU what MINE options are, and they do not 'clude sleepin.  Mine options are about kinds of dancing shows.  Got it?"


** Lest you think, as Little One does, that She runs the show around here, let me just follow this up with the fact that She did of course go straight to bed when we got home, and so far seems to be "opting" for the long nap.