What’s the Answer?

I have three boys quickly learning the art of manipulation. When requesting permission (they are still young enough that they actually do still ask permission) if they don’t get the answer they want they turn to the other parent in hopes of receiving the permission they seek. No surprise – every kid does this.

The other day, my seven year-old was getting frustrated that mom had said “no” and i refused to overrule. I explained that if mom says “no,” then the answer is always “no” regardless of what I said.  He was having a hard time grasping the concept so I drew the following diagram: