The Art of Child Negotiation

"I landed on your space again." "Hey, that's my space!" "Too bad, it's not your turn anymore. No wonder you don't have any money." "Larissa's losing, she doesn't pay attention." "I just landed on your space too." "Oh. Whoops." Obviously I am not of the school that says you should allow kids to win at Monopoly. "200 dollars." "I don't have that much money." "You're out!" Although I admit it wasn't the same after Corey beat her. Much harder to distract him when I landed on his spaces.

"You've got five minutes to drink your milk. Three. Make sure you brush your teeth so they won't be rotten!" "Will you read me a story?" "Yes, as soon as I finish cleaning up the Monopoly. You could help me." "No, I don't want to." "OK, that's your story." "No, I want to keep looking..." "You're dawdling..." "Huh?" "Stalling!"

After the fascinating adventures of Wendell and Lloyd and their secret shortcut, the even more fascinating adventures of Jake Long, American Dragon. "Now what did my mysterious old master tell me about brownies- they like shiny things!" Ooooh, I like shiny things, too, maybe I'm a brownie....shiny...Jake Long, who apparently is the epitome of American kids, saying things like, "Yo, that's how it's be!" and other such annoyances. Who is being taught by a mysterious old master and a talking dog. Who has to pass three dragony tests by three dragony judges or he loses said master. Who has a rival who makes fun of him and plays tricks, attempting to thwart his quest. Who was up against the Dark Dragon who has mysteriously and most unfortunately returned to power. Can we please stop ripping off Harry Potter here?

"Good night, Nettie." "Good night." "Thank you for baby-sitting." Awwwwww.......