Children are amazing at getting what they want, and that’s a terrific skill in life. When it means “being sneaky” by asking one parent when the other is sure to say “no” or asking the other parent when the first one says “no” to the request, it undermines the trust in the family. This is not the lesson we want our children to learn. Parents can let their children know that it is acceptable to ask mom or dad, AND it is not acceptable to ask dad if mom didn’t give the answer the child was looking for. The child can explain to mom her reasons for asking and request that mom reconsider. It is OK for parents to change their minds. A great thing for a parent to ask herself when her child asks to do something is, “What positive could come of doing this the way my child is requesting?” Sometimes it is great for parents to let go of a “fixed position.” Other times, it is most appropriate for parents to hold the limit they have set.