Alex, after watching videos of a new Cars inspired race track on YouTube, is convinced that he has to have said track RIGHT THIS MINUTE. He received an Amazon gift card for his birthday, so we looked up the toy to see if he could order it.

The track costs $100.

He was understandably disappointed, but I wasn’t about to cough up the $75 needed to complete the purchase. I took the opportunity to stress the importance of doing his chores to earn his allowance, which he could save up for the track.

He wasn’t interested. He wants that track NOW.

After I concluded my lesson, he stormed off, and I figured he would stew in his room but soon forget about the track. I was wrong. Instead, he marched up to me with his box of coins, proudly presenting them and asking that I place the order.

I counted $2.50 in quarters, and explained that he still wouldn’t have enough to buy the track. He wasn’t giving up that easily, though. He spent the next five minutes trying to change my mind, hoping that I would just buy it for him.

“C’mon. You’ll be the best mother ever!”

“Count it again. I don’t trust you.”

“Will you please just get me it??”

“RUDE.” With that, he stormed away.

I continued with my work, but heard change rustling downstairs. A few minutes later, Alex returned with more coins in his box. This time, I counted $2.72, and reminded him that he can’t just take coins out of my change bowl.

He didn’t listen (he’s nothing if he’s not persistent!), and returned several more times. The last time, he presented $3.37, and an old bobby pin.

“Alex, you have to do your chores and save up to buy the things you want. Mom won’t just buy whatever you want, when you want it. Enough!”

He sulked away, recognizing his defeat, and settled in to watch an episode of his favorite show on Netflix. I bookmarked the race track on Amazon so I would remember which one he wants. Santa will need ideas soon enough, right?