Mom Bribes

I can’t think of a single mother I know that does not use bribery on her kids. Sounds terrible, but we all do it. Since there isn’t much ‘junk’ in my house… bribery happens when I am out and about with one, two, or more kids dragged to do things that they may not consider fun but necessary for the household.

Most of the bribery happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house.  It’s the busiest time of the year for us.  I have house guests, entertain some, shop for many, cook for half a football team, and still have to get the daily things in our mom-to-do list.  I know I can’t be the only one who loves Thanksgiving and Christmas yet is overwhelmed by all that surrounds it.

After 2 days of staring at an empty fridge and a depleted pantry, I had to hit the grocery Sunday afternoon.  It was almost time for Alex’s nap and my husband was at the nursing home visiting his father… to go or not to go.  Thus the…”if you come to the grocery with mommy you can pick out a doughnut.”

With list on hand and a very tired 3 year old, here I was at Walmart restocking for the week.  While I feel terrible that I had to bribe him to come (after the…”I want to stay home and play mommy”) the groceries got done.  As much as it pains me to admit, I had to bribe him again with M&Ms yesterday to do some time sensitive errands yesterday afternoon.