The Art of Persuasion

He may only be two but I have taught Jonah well in mastering the art of persuasion. The family was at the mall and I was walking through the boys section at Nordstrom’s eyeing all the cute new summer clothes. Jonah pulls a brown vintage t-shirt off the rack and proceeds to put it on as he announces to everyone “My shirt”. I pay no attention to him and keep thumbing through the racks. As I’m strolling along I overhear a conversation emerging between Josh and Jonah.

Josh – “Jonah, that’s not your shirt. You need to take it off and put it back on the hanger so we can put it back on the rack.”

Jonah – “My shirt.”

Josh – “Jonah, take off the shirt.”

Jonah - “My shirt. I want it.”

Josh – “Take it off now.”

Jonah – “I like it. My shirt.”

Josh – “Fine, take it off so we can pay for it.”

Jonah takes off the shirt and hands it back to Josh. I watch him as he walks up to the counter to pay with Jonah. It is then that I casually walk up to the counter and ask, “What are you doing?”

Josh replies with a slight tinge of frustration in his voice. “Buying Jonah this shirt” Forty dollars and some change and one vintage t-shirt later Josh is walking Jonah back to the dressing room to change into his new shirt (Jonah is so smart he even picked up the correct size - 2T) Josh smiles at me as he walks by and says “I decided to choose my battles today.” (a comment I use often during outings with Jonah these days)

While they are changing Jonah’s shirt I walk over to the Shoe Department and pick up a cute pair Dolce and Gabbana heels. Josh walks up and says “What are you doing?”

I reply – “My shoes.”