Bad Parenting 101

Jordan was up really late last night at a friends sleep over. Tonight, when we put him in bed we really wanted him to go to sleep right away to catch up on that lost sleep. He asked for a drink. We told him no because he just had a glass of water. About 5 minutes later he comes out of his room and asks for a drink. We told him that we already said no and to go to bed and not get up again. He was mad but went back in his room and was talking. Arlie went up there and told him that he would spank him if he needed to (although we very rarely use that punishment...it was looking like it might be one of those nights). About 5 minutes after that, Jordan comes out of his room again and says, "Dad, I'll make you a deal." Arlie and I looked at each other like he's going to get in big trouble. He just won't give it up. "Dad, you can spank me 3 times with the spank spoon if I can just have a drink." It was like getting punched in the stomach. I felt horrible. He felt like he needed a drink so badly that he was willing to get spanked to get it. Needless to say, we let him have his drink and without the spankings. He went to bed fine after that. Now I'm not sure if he was so smart to realize that would get us and he'd get what he wanted...if so...Kudos to him. He beat us :) Parenting 101, just give the kid a drink. It's not that big of deal.