I was talking to Nikki Epperson the other night on the phone. I’m lucky enough to live in the same town as Nikki! Anyway, she was talking about how she bribed her kids with a special treat if they were cooperative in her photoshoot. I laughed because I do the exact same thing.  The promise of ice cream can do a smile wonders!

Well, last year I had to resort to bribery for swimming lessons. My littlest, Raeleigh, did fine the first day. But, the second day she was very uncooperative. I forced myself to sit there listening to her cry the whole time (and you know at that age crying is contagious.) My friends assured me, almost holding me back that it was what the  “water exploration class” was all about. I talked to the teacher afterward. I said, I knew you’d send her to me if you didn’t want to deal with it.  The teacher asked if there was a toy she could bring next time.  So, from lesson three onward the little blue duck came to class. Then she didn’t cry. But, she didn’t pay much attention to the teacher either, she just sat playing with her duck for 45 minutes. I also promised that if she did what the teacher said when it was her turn then we’d go get candy after each lesson.

We are wrapping up swimming lessons this year, and I’m happy to say the little duck stayed home! We have continued the candy tradition. But, now it is just a fun summer treat, and not a bribe.

This page uses a collaboration kit from Recherché by KH Designs and Jennilyn Designs. And a template from JennCK.  Tomorrow I’ll post the opposite side of this two page spread with a little story about friendship!

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