“Five more minutes, kids,” I tell my four and six-year-old at the playground.

“Aw, can we have an extra ten minutes?” asks the older sibling, Potato.

“Sure,” I answer.

“Ten is a lot of time,” Boobers, the younger one, exclaims excitedly.

I let them continue to play for a while. Minutes tick away, and we leave to head home with no difficulty. Giving youngsters a few minutes’ warning is often used to prepare them. It signals the intent to leave soon. A precursor is helpful for young children when having to switch tasks.

I do the same with my tots. The major distinction is that I let my kids spend more time because it provides them with satisfaction in negotiation. They experience a sense of victory. In a world where the small ones get few choices, I like to give in when the opportunity is appropriate.

What they are unaware of is I also emerge a winner. We still leave the park after a generic period of time passes. Whether the kids request eleven of twenty minutes, I respond positively, and we continue to depart when I sense the right time. 

My children are old enough to count, and know which numbers are bigger than others. Yet, they lack the ability to perceive the passing of time. We do not use a timer. The time reminder is to prepare Potato and Boobers for going home. 

In this situation, I believe we both come out on top. The tots have the opportunity to negotiate, and I have the freedom to leave no matter how many minutes pass. This concept may be silly, but it makes me happy. How long am I able to get away with fibbing the numbers before my older one can count time and start wearing a watch? For now, I enjoy allowing all of us to experience our triumphs.