Friday night the husband and I, leading our all too exciting lives, took our 16 month old out with us to the grocery store. We hadn’t planned on buying her any treats, the following day would be Valentines day so she had presents coming. We cruised the aisles and smiled at her as she points to everything and tries to learn new words. Just a typical quiet shopping trip. That was until we hit the clearance toy aisle and my husband lost his mind.

There was this mid sized white Teddy bear on sale for $6 that if you squeeze its hand it lights up, changing colours from reds to blue and plays twinkle twinkle little star. We let her look at it and hold it and when her Father tried to put i back on the shelf, this was what ensued…

A 16 month-old’s master plan to get whatever she wants from Daddy…

Step 1 ) Point to the fluffy teddy bear on the shelf and bat your eye lashes saying, “Dad dad Dad.”

Step 2 ) Hug you new found treasure, knowing all too well that your master plan is unfolding.

Step 3 )  When Daddy takes the Teddy back and puts it on the shelf, look at him with BIG green eyes.

Step 4 ) If Teddy is not back in your arms, push out bottom lip into a pout.

Step 5 ) Arms still empty? quiver that lip and frown.

Step 6 ) If still unsuccessful, insert tears and flutter out through laboured gasps of breath, Da-Dad-dada .

Step 7 ) If still unsuccessful, insert full on tears and wailing.

Step 8 ) Smile and hug your new Teddy Bear.

Yes she wa successful in getting what she wanted and no that is not how I intend to let her get things but in all fairness, my husband took it away from her twice more at the store simply because he thought her pouty face was cute. i couldn’t be that mean.

I fear what will happen if we ever walk past a pet store….. her little pouty lip works all too well against her big tough 6’4″ father.

Now, how can I use her strategy for our anniversary in 2 weeks?