Last week, my three year old daughter was grounded from watching “Dragon Tales” on television for several days.  She did a few actions repeatedly and intentionally…even after warnings.  When I told the story of how she earned this punishment, a friend and colleague said, “It reminds me of the ‘Breakfast Club’.”  Once more I felt foolish for acting like a caricature, but it happens on occasion.

By the end of the first night, Sunday, of not watching “Dragon Tales”, my daughter started to turn on the charm and try and work her way out of her punishment.

Questions and negotiations began, “If I eat all of my dinner can I watch ‘Dragon Tales’?” she asked.

“You are not allowed to watch it until Wednesday, remember?” I replied.

“Mommy, if I eat all my dinner, can I watch ‘Dragon Tales’?” she asked again, this time talking past me.

My wife held the adult line, “No, remember what you did?”

My daughter was persistent, she never acknowledged her wrongdoing, although she knew what we were talking about.  She hates to admit when she does something wrong.  She ran down the litany of getting her way, “I love you.”  Hugs and kisses were given out, but we held strong.

Then out of nowhere, we were trumped.  “Daddy, since I cannot watch ‘Dragon Tales’ on TV, can I watch it on my iPod?” she asked in her nicest voice accompanied by puppy-dog eyes. Game.  Set.  Match.

I looked at my wife, who was trying not to laugh too hard.  I had no answer except the obvious.  “You got me little girl…tomorrow you may watch ‘Dragon Tales’ on your iPod.”

She was correct, I was specific in banning the show from TV, but never mentioned the iPod.  She often watches shows from YouTube.  We screen them for content, since you never know what you will find.  That is why YouTube SpongeBob is banned in our house, for some reason that is a favorite for people to edit with inappropriate language.

In an earleir incident, when my wife was singing songs with her in the car from PBS Sprout, my daughter replied, “Mommy, stop.  I do not know that song.  I did not download from the Internet onto my iPod.”  My wife asked her to repeat what she said, not believing her ears.  The quote was the same the second time around.

When we got home I did check her iPod to make sure she has not downloaded anything onto it.  She hasn’t…yet.  Who says iPods are too complex for three year olds.