I know you're gonna say no, but....

I forget which ManChild started it, but there is a new phrase in our home. It goes something like this:

"I know you are gonna say no, but can I....."

Like 10 minutes before dinner, "I know you gonna say no, but can I have a piece of candy?" Interesting strategy. Not sure if it's use is intended to soften the parent or pre-console the ManChild.

The strategy doesn't really work. However there have been a time or two when the request had merit on its own. So perhaps from the ManChild's perspective, the apparent 10% success rate is worth it!