Well this weekend, we were at a hotel with a water slide and pool, and then we visited a different water park. All summer last year, I tried to bribe Gavin with toys, money, and/or candy almost daily. This kid would not dunk his head under the water for love nor money. He absolutely refused. He was fine with it. I was frustrated.
So this weekend, when we went swimming the first time, I tried bribing him again. Again, he said no way. Not happening. So I opened my big mouth and made him an offer. I told him that I'd pay him $10 every time he dunked his head. Nope. No dice.
The next day, we went to a water park and played for a few hours. As we were leaving, Gavin yelled, "Wait! WAIT! I need to dunk my head!" Eli had to go to the bathroom, so I left Chris with Gavin and said, "Good luck." He'd often say that he wanted to do it and then stop, so I didn't think too much about it.
The next thing I hear, Gavin comes running in, saying that he dunked his head 10 times! Ten times! I laughed! He finally did it. Then he looked at me and said, "$10 a time. That's one HUNDRED dollars, mom!!"
Uhh, yikes! I was so hesitant to pay up until the next day he went swimming and spent most of his time underwater. YES!! $100 well spent to break through that fear.
So yes, I did indeed pay my son $100 for dunking his head. And I am proud of that fact, but even more proud of my son who will now dunk his head!
You should have seen him when he was in the pool with me, constantly playing and going under.
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