Nature or Nurture?

Is manipulation a completely learned skill? I’m beginning to wonder.

I’m sure the text books would tell me that children learn to manipulate their parents at a very young age, as soon as they learn that crying brings mommy running.

This is probably the case most of the time, however some of the behavior I’m witnessing from my 3 ½ year old son seems to demonstrate to me that the art of manipulation is a natural talent built into our genetic code, similar to being born with a great “poker face” or the ability to sell waterfront property in the everglades!

As of late, my son has been testing this ability on me with alarming finesse. I have always tried not to use food as a bribe but have resorted to offering a lollipop on occasion in an attempt to bring on a smile after a hair cut (which he hates) or when he has hurt himself. So it came as no surprise when he started asking for a lollipop "to make me feel better mom".

Yesterday after hearing me say out loud how hot it was today, he very quickly responded: "Whew it is hot mom, we need something to cool us off ". As he was saying this he brushed the back of his hand across his forehead and shook his hair (very diva-like).

Then in a voice that would make the Screen Actors Guild proud he continues, "Humm I know, some ice cream will make us feel better. Come on mom lets go"!

If we ate ice cream regularly or even popsicles to cool us off maybe I would understand his thought process, but we don’t. He came up with this plan on his own and in an instant.
So, of course we had ice cream, he did after all include me.

Nature or Nurture? I don’t know, but to all the mothers of 3 year old girls out there.. I promise to try to rein him in before puberty!