This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replying the story in its archived form does not constitute a re-publiccation of the story.

I've been aware for some time that our son is occasionally trying to manipulate us, but it has now risen to a new level. (And he's only 2 and a half!  God help me.)

Last night he dropped one of his toys on the ground.  Like the dutiful, hovering father, I told him to pick it up.  I can't say I expected an immediate, "yes, daddy," but I certainly didn't expect what I got.  "MM," he said.  "MM." 

Quinn is an addict when it come to the milk chocolate, "that melts in your mouth, not in your hands." He drags step stools across the house to reach counter locations where an "MM" might be present. 

So last night, his little brain seemed to fully put together the concept of, "what's in it for me?" for the first time.  You want me to pick up the toy?  Fork over the candy!

Of course it didn't play out that way.  Daddy is still bigger and in full control of the "MM" supply, so the toy was picked up without compensation.  Just the same, its interesting to know that just 30 months into his life, my little boy is already a capitalist.  The skill should serve him well!