Bribing a Toddler

I have a confession to make. I use bribery way too often to get my own way. It's a bad habit, but sometimes it is the only way out of a sticky situation. It is either bribery or throwing myself down on the floor and having a tantrum myself. While I admit I've been tempted, thus far I have managed to avoid those theatrics with simple bribery.

"If you quit screaming while mommy is on the phone I'll give you a piece of candy."

"Honey, if you help me clean your room I'll let you watch that movie over and over again all day."

"If you quit dismantling the soup aisle I'll buy you a soda."

I am guilty of all these things. The one holding me hostage? A cherubic three year old. What many non-parents don't know and grandparents forget is how conniving a toddler can be. They know the exact pitch to hit when throwing a fit to bring a parent to their knees, willing to give in to their demands.

I've tried putting my foot down. It works until he turns the puppy dogs eyes on me and the crocodile tears start flowing. I've tried negotiating, but after awhile it is embarrassing to lose to a toddler. I've tried ignoring the tantrums, but the raised eyebrows from everyone else in the store as my son lies kicking and screaming on the ground is too much. I'd like to see them diffuse the situation. Actually, scratch that. Last time a kindly gentleman tried to help, my little angel kicked him in the shin.

So I bribe. I keep a collection of stickers and lollipops in my pocket to distract him when he is about to blow, or sometimes to reward him when he is being especially adorable. Perhaps all those parenting experts are right and I am ruining my child with this bribery. Or maybe it is better for him to get a bit of instant gratification sometimes instead of having a mother that joins him on the floor kicking and screaming.

It may be a bad habit, but the whims of a toddler are a powerful force. I think a lollipop is a small price to pay for sanity.