"The Theory of Reciprocity"

Reciprocity

(rĕs'ə-prŏs'ĭ-tē) 
n., pl., -ties.

1. A reciprocal condition or relationship.
2. A mutual or cooperative interchange of favors or privileges, especially the exchange of rights or privileges of trade between nations.

Definition supplied by Answers.com

Kids make me laugh, especially when I can take them off guard and one-up them in the intelligence department.  Trust me, it doesn't happen often; but, when it does, it sets me up for a great mood for the remainder of the day.  And, when I can not only win the battle of the brain, but also win the battle of wills, then you might catch me smiling for days.

Take, for example, a recent situation with 15 year old Amber.  I'd asked her repeatedly to do a load of dishes.  Not-too-suprisingly, she'd found a gazillion-and-one reasons not to get it done. "I'm really busy," or "I have to take a shower," or "You didn't tell me!" or even "My nose hurts!"  Kids can come up with a million-and-one reasons not to accomplish even the smallest of tasks.

As the day wore on and the dishes remained in the sink, my good mood was definitely in need of being restored.  And then the moment came...

"Mom, I need to go to the bank to take out some money, and then to Best Buy so I can get the latest season of 'Supernatural' on DVD," she said.

"Ahhh...I see," I responded.  "I'd say today is a good day to teach you the 'Theory of Reciprocity."

"What's that?" she asked.

"Well, my dear, for every positive action from you, there can be an equally positive reaction from me."

"Huh?"

"Okay, let me say it a bit differently:  You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," I explained.

With a completely blank look, she said "I don't get it."

I slowly counted to ten before responding.  "It means, Sweetheart, that I have dishes in my sink that need to get done.  You have a DVD waiting on you at Best Buy that you'd like to pick up.  My dishes won't get washed on their own, and I don't see you walking to Best Buy.  If you'd like to go to Best Buy to pick up that DVD, then you'll need to begin by doing the dishes.  In this house, that's what's known as 'The Theory of Reciprocity.'"

"Oh."

Ahhhh...I love being an adult.  And I love being smarter than my kids.  And I absolutely love having clean dishes!