The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block 2-Book Bundle pdfdrive com

Win-win compromise is one of the top tools in this book. You’ll use it
again and again during the toddler years—and beyond.
All over the world, people hash out agreements by hard bargaining.
Haggling over a price feels foreign to many Americans—we like straight
talk—but toddlers love to negotiate. (Many of them could bargain the
pants off a used-car salesman!) They are naturally good at bargaining
tactics like begging (“Please? P-l-e-a-s-e!!!!”), exaggeration (“You never
let me!”), pouty protests (“You’re not fair!”), and noticing inconsistency
(“But you let her do it!”).
And they use these tools of persuasion to get what they want … every
single day.
Whoa, you might be thinking, doesn’t compromising mean caving in or
spoiling my child? Shouldn’t I demand obedience?
Of course, always giving in could spoil a child. But demanding
obedience—“Because I say so!”—actually ends up teaching kids bad
lessons (what you think is unimportant and might makes right). On the
other hand, finding reasonable compromises teaches kids to be more fair
and flexible.
Remember, you’re strong and smart and your toddler is weak, short,
slow, and can’t speak very well. So he feels like he is losing over and
over and over again. Win-win compromises will teach him that both you
and he can be winners, that people who love each other can each give in
a bit and still be strong.
If you want your child to grow up fair-minded and respectful, the best
way to teach him is by your example.
What It Is:
Finding a win-win compromise is a big part of the
ancient art of negotiating: “I’ll trade you one of these for two of those.”
It shows fairness, respect, and good listening. Most kids do this
automatically, from a one-year-old trading kisses to a teenager
negotiating for a bigger allowance.
Win-win compromises give kids practice at being fair and teach them
that solutions can be found that allow both parties to give in a little
without losing dignity.

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Some parents ask, “Why should I compromise? I give my child plenty!
She isn’t running the show! ” You’re correct to expect your child to be
more grateful by five or six. But younger children have not yet mastered
the fine points of civilization, like appreciating someone’s
generosity … especially when they’re upset. (Even many adults have
trouble with that!)