My son Mykola loves to race. Wherever we go it is a speed contest. When we get home it is a race to the front door usually with me pushing Madison in the wheelchair and carrying groceries while he runs as fast as he can. If I am getting him a refill at dinner, it is a race to the kitchen. If we go to the bathroom, use your imagination. Anyways, he always wins sometimes, depending on how much I have to carry, legitimately. So yesterday he was gloating over defeating me again and I decided that now would be the perfect occasion to exploit his overconfidence. It went like this:
Mykola: You want to race? I will beat you again!
Me: Why?
Mykola: Because I have super powers.
Me: No, I mean what are we going to race for? What do you win if you beat me?
Mykola: a car.
Me: How about if I win, you have to eat your veggies today. Three of them? And, if you win, you don’t have to eat any veggies today. In fact, I will give you chocolate for dinner!
Mykola: (squealing) ok daddy, no veggies and choc-cate for dinner. What about Maddy? Does she have to eat her veggies?
Me: Neither of you have to eat your veggies if you win. But, just for today! (I am 43 so the boy has an undeniable chance here).
Me: So, Ready? Set! Go!!!
Mykola takes off running for his life but within about 6 feet, not bragging, I passed him like he was running backwards. Mykola now about 20 yards behind is screaming don’t win daddy!! I look back to remind him to stay on the grass in case he falls. He is running his heart out - man that kid really hates his veggies. He is now about 40 yards behind and desperate. Don’t win!! Don’t win daddy!! is all I hear as I pull out the fold up chair and wait for him to finish. Poor kid, he is devastated and now crying but, he never stopped running. He never gave up (your welcome son). He started crying he said how did you win? why did you beat me? I hate veggies! Why daddy? I said you got too slow because you don’t eat your veggies at your moms’ house. Too much chocolate! But, not tonight!! He is very upset by now. I said, “I love you kola”. He said, “I wujj you too dad. How many veggies do I have to eat?” “Just three.” He said “how about 5?” We are working on counting next.