Is it any wonder we have so many lawyers? Just consider how skilled and relentless children are at advocating for whatever they want–whether it’s another book before bedtime or a play date. My eight-year-old son delivered my favorite nakedly self-serving line during the trip we took to Niagara Falls last week.
“How’s this, Dad?” he began, all hopeful and cheery. “After dinner, you and Mom can go to the casino and stay there as late as you want, and have a really good time, while me and Elena (his 12-year-old sister) will go back to the hotel room and do some sibling bonding. Because you know how important that is.”
Translation: “You fools go to the casino while Elena and I stay up way late and watch TV.”
After much laughter (by all four of us), we accepted his magnanimous offer. And later, after crapping out at the casino, we came back to our room to discover Adam sleeping beside a really loud TV and Elena asleep beside our iPad.
Parallel play?
–Eric Messinger
