Parenting Case Number 307: Negotiation

[AnanyaVilas]

ニーナ　わとてもかわいいですね!

[mrframeofmind1]

Nina rules!!!!!

[iLoveTaylorKitsch]

YUM! what is she eating for dessert! looks so good ^.^

[nadiahmariamazmi]

Too cute! :)

[peachik1m]

That is serious higher order thinking! The simplicity of the explanation puts a lot of adults to shame. Thank-you for sharing!

[Cyrus150]

aw she can't say itsumo yet

[JinchurikiLove22]

Can Nina use chop sticks on her own?

[iammolley]

Haha. I hate eggplant too! Unless its tortang talong or adobong talong, then I can eat them. (from the Philippines) But yeah, eggplants are icky. Haha.

[dianaluvrose]

i love this video so much, Nina is really a good girl, i don't know how you teach her, but when i was a little kid, i will cry if my parents told me to eat something that i don't want.. it's amazing that Nina still laughing and communicate the reason she doesn't like it.

i hope I'll be a good parent just like you.

[geofg]

@dianaluvrose Thanks! Nina does have her bad days, of course, where she will cry over a small thing, but usually we can discuss it later, when she has calmed down.

[iamrochelljoy]

wow, i cant help it. she is so amazing and smart!...

[mrframeofmind1]

@iamrochelljoy I agree, Nina is so smart and funny!! she is so cute!

[itsmecitra14]

my first experience with eggplant was two years ago when i was in high schoo. lol actually it was good. lol

[geofg]

@itsmecitra14 ha ha Yeah, the texture is a bit rubbery, but the taste of eggplant is fine.

[latinopapita]

i miss nina on the dinner table videos ! Please do a subway night 3 again :))

[fawz23]

omg!!! i LOVED those ice lollies.. Nina sucks it from the bottom end.. cutee!

[dinifilan]

She's got anything.. She's sweet, cute, funny, smart.. ckck SUPER :D

[VaijayantiUSA]

Well, if she said: "I hate to eat little chicken", then I would have been impressed.

[pikakiko]

even though she hates it atleast she keeps it INSIDE her mouth and swallows it. unlike my little brother that makes a face then spits it out =_=''

[geofg]

@pikakiko ha ha

[Rockyhokky]

Woooow... I was really amazed with what she said... Her thoughts are not like most kids at her age.. btw, this is the funniest Nina's video I've ever seen :D

[2791991]

aren't you sometimes surprised that kids are really aware of their surrounding

[geofg]

@2791991 Yes, I have to remind myself sometimes that kids understand a lot more than they get credit for.

[novi2712]

she really has a very cute face.. I love it.. Wish my daughter as cute as Nina, and as smart as her too :)

[injroa]

is this the last nina's vid? b'awwww me want more ;______; you teach her so well!!

[geofg]

@injroa No, this video is from a year ago. There have been a lot of vids of her since then.

[CelloPlaya08]

CHEEKS!!!!! I want to squeeze them :)

[krissil33]

so adorable I used to hate eggplant too!

[huswsimonbla]

I watched some of your vids and must say you are really "blessed" with your family! hope you are alright and not affected by the situation in japan right now!

[geofg]

@huswsimonbla Thank you! We do feel blessed and also very lucky. We live in Nagoya, which was not damaged by the earthquake or tsunami and is far from the nuclear reactors.

[SoCaCrys]

Wow, she is so well spoken and intelligent for her age. Kudos to her parents!

[nal4122]

こんな面白い子供がいたらカメラから手がはなせませんよね。

肉料理などは、消化が遅いので満腹感を得るために、デザートをと­るとか。

[angle021]

3:09 and on is so adorable! 

[qiqiqiqoi]

nina, how's japan. is everything ok?

[geofg]

@qiqiqiqoi We are all OK. Thanks!

[tamaramacrae1990]

Does she actually use this kind of vocabulary at this age? or do the words get changed during translation because if so she's a very smart child to be making these negotiations. She is entertaining for sure, I just wish I knew Japanese lol

[geofg]

@tamaramacrae1990 Thanks! I didn't really bother to try to add the nuances of speech that a three year old might use, but the content is accurate.

[MMswineflu96]

i talk spanish and my pearents raised me talking spanish i learned english by waching tv thats it just tv

[geofg]

@MMswineflu96 English by TV method! Wow, pretty effective!

[sheila37]

thing is, my rule is that, even if i'm full, there is always, for some reason, room for dessert. it's like my stomach was made with a reserved space especially for dessert. :D

[geofg]

@sheila37 Ah, the infamous "dessert stomach". Yes, I seem to have on myself.

[hpyrkh3]

Philosopher Nina. If only we could have dessert before dinner, we would enjoy it so much more :)

[geofg]

@hpyrkh3 Yes, she has discovered one of the cruel ironies of life.

[Fashionstar117]

She is so much smarter then i would expect for her to be.! Very adorable.!:)

[ttcm1980]

I love your girl :) my baby boy is 8 months old now, I'd love to raise him like this! it's a little bit difficult for me,we speak 2 languages with him,my language and my husband one ... ppl just told us to use just one but i want him to understand my language too!

now i see Nina and i just wish that my boy will be as good as her :)

[geofg]

@ttcm1980 I think you are doing the right thing to use your language with your boy. If your husband uses his language and you use yours, your boy will understand the difference. The main language in the country you live will surely be his dominant language (as Japanese is with Nina) and that's good. I do think it is important to have a dominant language, but I see no problem in both of you using your own languages at home. Good luck!

[KylieKiwi1234]

"I can eat it for breakfast tomorrow."

Too cute!!!! <3

[inivictor]

your daughter is genius!!!...and cute as well :D

[memeQ123]

HAPPY NEW YEAR NINA !!! ( ^ 3 ^ )

[SimpleAugusta]

How can you raise her to be this very cute and clever?!! I wonder how much she can be so positive mind, as she seems. !!

I love your girl very much and you are my role model of raising a kid. I have 2 nieces & 2 nephews (I'm not married yet.I'm just 26) and I would need your suggestion one day :D

[geofg]

@SimpleAugusta Thanks for the comment! I think Nina is just a sweet kid by nature, and we try to give her a loving, safe home, but we don't do anything special. I think if kids are raised with love, they usually come out OK. Good luck to you with making your own family when the time is right!

[AdotNdotNdot]

Heeey that beginning was from law & order :D lol

[CandieeProductions]

i noticed its really bright outside xD

NINA'S SOOO CUTE!

[munirahishamshah]

awwh, she's a very smart, brilliant and sweet girl!i love all her videos!

[eentanz]

nina madde my day..cant stop smiling while looking at ur videos..u hav a lovely family :)

[x8828364s]

なすちゃん、ごめん。大嫌い。。。ははは

[Archronos1]

I think my cuteness-meter overloaded. One little person should not be this cute! :)

[hybridstar08]

Ahhh... Nina knows how to bargain with Mama & Papa. The neverending dessert!

I love how Mama & Papa gets Nina to do what she's told even if she doesn't want to.

[geofg]

@hybridstar08 Sometimes this works, but we don't always succeed.

[ashinluv]

nina is so cute and bright... and very lucky coz she has a parents like you..

[WindCompass13]

ah, really, the sad lessons of life XD

[JapanOtome]

LOL I dun Liek Eggplant either xD

[chaotickitty222]

She is clever.

[cinchaful]

ニーナちゃんめっちゃかわいい！！

[geofg]

@cinchaful ありがとうございました！

[moooooooooone]

such a good parenting! haha i love nina! bless your family.. :)

[UltimateRajput]

Nina is soooooooooooooooooooooooo cute ! 

[z370Toronto]

i love your sofa, is it from Ikea?

[geofg]

@z370Toronto Thanks! It's from a Japanese company called Mujirushi (which means "no label"). They have lots of cool furniture and house stuff, a lot of it in beige or other toned down colors and for reasonable prices. There is an Ikea in Osaka, but it's too far for us to get to.

[kacangmede]

@geofg Oh I do love Muji too! love their pens, notebooks, and flat shoes. going window shopping in Muji makes me feel at ease, seeing all the colors and simple shapes :) [while windowshopping in IKEA makes me feel tortured with the beautiful design yet skycraping price :P]

Nina concluded this experience nicely, huh? The lesson of life, indeed. And everytime I watch this video, it makes me wanna eat nasu and udon, can we get the recipe? :P

[geofg]

@kacangmede ha ha We would have to go to Osaka to find the nearest Ikea, but I think we would just feel tortured too, so we'll stick with Mujirushi.

The cold udon dish my wife makes changes every time. She just puts whatever she has in the refrigerator (mini tomatoes, fried eggplant slices, sliced okra...) on top of the cold udon noodles with a little tsuyu broth on top.

[JapanOtome]

@z370Toronto LOL!

[z370Toronto]

@JapanOtome eh eh, i was expecting Geofg to ship it to me but it seems that Nina is keepin him busy enough so he forgot! I still insist though that it is a nice Sofa :)

[sk8n0mad]

wont this teach her to be a fatty?

[SGCRCT]

@sk8n0mad no, it more teaches her discipline and to eat her veggies!

[shavaughn1980]

Nina is right. Dessert should be first!

[erikamano200]

good parenting

[juicydiior]

oh my gosh, i haven't had those popsicles in years...

[heythereamelia]

I want a Nina so so bad. lol she is SO adorable <3

[eqon1234]

this kid is adorable with such a sweet personality! And very smart about getting her dessert!

[geofg]

@eqon1234 ha ha Yeah, in the end, it is hard to say 'no' to Nina.

[geofg]

@mysheila20 Thanks a lot! I appreciate the comment!

[andresisnotawesome]

Sorry eggplant, but I hate you.

[Spunkette87]

lol, I love the end. SO FULL OF WISDOM YOU ARE, NINA!

i especially loved her tone when she was talking about the dessert. she said it in a very matter-of-factly way! :-)

[geofg]

@Spunkette87 Yes, Nina's negotiation skills have gotten good, especially in regards to food. ha ha

[DomDollx]

omg! she is so smart and adorable! Mashallah (may God bless her <3 ) You know I always thought about preferring a baby boy, but nina makes me want to have a girl =) I'd love to do something like this (filming) with my kids...when I have them haha yup and Nina is so well mannered, adventurous, inquisitive, and seems she'll grow to be compassionate <3

[geofg]

@DomDollx Personally, I love having a girl, but having a boy would have been OK, too. Taking photos and video of Nina is the best hobby I've ever had!

[fanpire4everandever]

She is sooooo cute!!!!!

[quadturbo4]

Her observation about dessert is very profound. She's seems like such a bright and sweet kid.

[cezaanimefreak]

lol nina i don't like eggplant too! yucky :P

ahhh honto kawaii nina !!

[mountaincritter]

She's articulate and mature for her age, ne. A lot of kids I know just would have screamed for dessert until they got it or were grounded. And of course, she's super-cute!

[geofg]

Ha ha. Thanks. Nina does sometimes resort to screaming for dessert, but she's found that with us, that doesn't work as well as when she is polite and turns on her cuteness. That, we can't say "no" to.

[lovefromaphroditex]

@mountaincritter so true about the screaming part. great parenting right there

[carolinanonato]

omg, she's really really the cutest kid ever ♥ I think I saw most of your videos today haha

[geofg]

Ha ha.  Thanks!

[lamagamorgana]

that popsicle is like.. O_O HUGE!!!

[chico52nyanyian]

ほんっっっとかわいいなぁ

ニーナちゃん見てると幸せになります。

幸せをわけてくれてありがとうです！！

[geofg]

どういたしまして。コメントありがとう！

[PKNproductions]

little children have much stronger taste buds. Thats why foods that don't seem to bad to adults can be REALLY bitter for little kids. and thats also why children love sweets SO much. Cause the taste is even more amazing for them than it is for us

[geofg]

That's an interesting point! I'll keep that in mind when considering Nina's strong opinions in regards to food.

[cobainAnselmo]

my friend's sister is different..

She likes something bitter than sweet..

[PKNproductions]

sometimes kids can be "trained" to prefer other flavors, and sometimes that can even happen by accident based on what is fed to them. But for the most part, kids will naturally have a preference for sweet

[happytreegirl779]

That ice pop is HUGE. I want one, the ones I usually eat are about a third of that size.

Also, I like Nina's theorizing. I'm going to use that on my mom tomorrow at dinner.

[andreajasiello]

Fantastic!:) Seems nina says gelato(Ice cream)

[kenichiito]

But eggplant is delicious! Especially Japanese eggplant. Has Nina ever tried eggplant tenpura?

[geofg]

Yes, I agree! I love Japanese eggplant. I think Nina has tried eggplant tempura too, but she still doesn't like it. I guess because it is chewy?

[Yakerina]

Smart girl. Wait until she tells you to stop! Or has she yet?

[geofg]

Sometimes she tells me to stop the camera, but sometimes she tells me to take her picture, too. We'll have to wait and see how it goes from here on.

[Yakerina]

I'm a new subscriber. Live in Tochigi.

[geofg]

Thanks for stopping by!

[aussielung]

Nina chan is simply darling. This is the greatest channel on YouTube.

[geofg]

Ha ha.  Thanks!

[LoveYamachan]

aww~ she's so smart~ ^-^

maybe next time she'll leave a room for dessert in her stomach! XD

[geofg]

Ha ha. Yeah, I felt a little sorry for her because she tried so hard to eat everything and then realized she was too full to completely enjoy her dessert.

[hunnymilk]

she is so cuute and polite even when she refuse to eat the last eggplant and will eat it tomorrow, my lil bro will just run away and hate the thing haha!

[geofg]

Ha ha. Sometimes Nina is like your little bro when she is not in a good mood. In those times she just says "yada" and runs away too. On this day she was in a good mood and she really wanted dessert so she put on her good manners.

[mcs1775]

She's so smart, Geofg! it's really a pleasure watching her, interesting insights from a little girl. It's funny how they make that shiveringact when they eat something they don't like, haha. God bless!

[geofg]

Ha ha. Yeah, the shivering when they eat something they don't like is pretty convincing. I didn't have the heart to make her eat more egg plant after seeing her do that.

[KhorRori]

so adorable <3

[TheJoy0919]

i really love her..you are blessed with such an adorable child.i hope i can see your family in person, im one of the millions of FAN by nina..thank you for uploading her videos..

[geofg]

Thank you! We do feel very lucky and blessed to have little Nina in our lives.

[BusanKevin]

WOW! amazng....Nina is beginning to understand why Daddy films here! :) That's cute...how kids can get full after eating half their meal, BUT can always magically find room for dessert ;)

[geofg]

Yeah, it will be curious to see how she reacts to the camera from here on out. Either she'll get sick of being filmed, or she'll start asking me to film her.

[francescaansay]

She's SOOOO CUTE, I just can't get over herrr!(:

[Gimmeabreakman]

Man, she is COOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE!

[geofg]

How do you pronounce that, anyway?

Hey, everybody has left town. Are you gonna be around this summer? Let's get a coffee or something.

[scullymika]

ニーナちゃん可愛くてハマってしまいました。パパの編集、選曲も­最高ですね！！また来ます！

それから、I Hate Playing in the Mud!　で使っているblackbird ですが、誰のカヴァーでしょうか？ご存知でしたら教えて下さい(­=^^=)

PS,ごめんなさい、youtubeの使い方がわからなくて、も­しかしたら、同じメッセージを送ってしまったかも知れません、

[Ch1ka]

Nina finally questions father about filming! DUN DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!!! lol :) shes a clever little plum

[geofg]

I better film her as much as I can before she tells me to stop!

[Ch1ka]

oh nooo! I hope she doesnt!!! I agree get that camera rolling geof! ^^

[revorichie]

It's a mixture of japanese and english when we converse but her english is definitely better than my japanese language proficiency.

Do you experience the same with your wife too? Or you are already a nihon-jin in an American body? lol.

[geofg]

When my wife and I were first dating her English was definitely better than my Japanese, so we spoke mostly in English. Then, as my Japanese got better, we started speaking mostly in Japanese. Now, since Nina was born, I speak mostly in English and my wife speaks Japanese.

No, I haven't become a nihon-jin. Ha ha. I'll always be an American living in Japan, I guess.

[zeroarashi]

MMM ehhh Nina-chan, eggplant loves you!! Please don't forget that! <3

My, her Nihongo is so great!! I'm always completely fascinated by her natural ability to speak with such articulation and expression. I always fall in love with each and every video! Thank You so much Geofg!! ♥

P.S. That's one giant popsicle!! It made me crave one, it's summer and i haven't even had one, how crazy is that!?! @_@

[geofg]

Yeah, communication has always been Nina's thing, even since before she could talk. It really makes it easier for us as parents because when she is upset she can articulate why, and we can work through it.

Everyone keeps commenting on the size of the fruit juice stick things. Are they really that huge?

[zeroarashi]

Yes, they are. To be completely honest i've never seen one that huge! My new quest is to find one that size and eat it right up!! Nina-chan style! <3

[mirkaltern]

Oh my... how can you say no to that cutie? she's gorgeous and smart.

[geofg]

We always give in eventually.

[heopie]

The conclusion at the end of the video is so true. hehe. Must always make room for dessert, lol.

[FelineFantsy]

Back again to say O,o "what kind of popsicles are those?! I've never seen them that large before! And I've never tried Eggplant or Udon noddles, sounds fairly interesting for dinner! :D"

[geofg]

Everyone seems amazed by those popsicles. They are just plastic tubes filled with 100% apple juice. I guess they are pretty big.

The cold udon noodles is a nice summer dish. My wife makes it with shredded chicken, eggplant, soft boiled egg over the chilled noodles.

[caritiger]

LOL ! Nina, I am not fond of eggplant either-- it can be a little bitter...

She did a good job finishing, and you two did a great job negotiating-- she is so cute, Geof!

Wow, that is the biggest popsicle I have ever seen...

It is funny that she is so camera aware and is actually making note of when you are filming! *grin*

[geofg]

Yeah, she was pretty patient despite all our teasing her and withholding dessert. She's not always that patient, but I usually film her when she is in a good mood. I was pretty surprised when she suddenly turned to the camera and asked why I was filming her. Uh...

[Unangepasse77]

Please take pictures of Nina in Yukata this summer also!

Are you going to see '' Natu-Masturi'' this year?

I really miss hot and humid Japanese summer!

[121f4]

U really like to have the hot n humid summer in japan...

whaa... i was in the hottest area before, miyazaki.. atsuiii... sooo hot!

i can't imagine if i should be at the same whether again.. hihi

but it was a great moment though!

[geofg]

The best thing about summer is walking around in the evening in shorts and a tee shirt with a cool drink. Or swimming in cool water somewhere!

For me, it's the Japan winters that are hard.

[geofg]

Yes, I'm sure we will go to our local natsu matsuri again this year. I like the hot and humid summers too!

[kJong04]

She is very cute!!! Love her...

:)

[Pinkyfairygodmother]

Nina is a big girl now. wow. I like how she talks with you guys. So cute.

[geofg]

Yeah, Nina has always been a good talker.  We are lucky that way.

[hatakashi1900]

hehehehe now she knows u're always filming her!!! =D

[Ryokushindo]

Nina is SOOOOOOO cute, she's incredible!!!

[watadon]

ニナちゃんはとても可愛い～＞＜

[IqBaL288]

so adorable,, love u nina,,

[parkhaewon]

i love nina!

[amynick]

Nina, eggplant is the only vegetable I don't like!!! You ate three, you are braver than me.

[geofg]

Eggplant is good if you prepare it right! We fry it before putting it in the udon, so the texture is less spongy. Is it the texture or the taste you don't like?

[mejikuhibiniu12]

waw, she's getting older and also be a smart girl, she understood why you documented them... I love the way she eats. honesty, it makes me soooo hungry!

[geofg]

Ha ha. Nina really loves eating, too.

[stibhel]

CUTEEE.........

does Nina always has a huge popsicle for dessert??

[geofg]

No, that was a rare treat. We give her juice sticks or cookies or something for snack sometimes, but we almost never give her dessert.

[entowt]

haiii nina..

[botflybaby]

thats the biggest popsicle ive ever seen!

[geofg]

Ha ha. That's what everyone keeps saying! It's just frozen juice, with no added sugar or color. Maybe that's why it's so big?

[punkonthis]

OMG, she is just so cute! I totally get the dessert thing. Nina, let's vote for dessert first then dinner. LOL! jk. You guys are so lucky. What sweet and inquisitive young lady.

[geofg]

No!!! No dessert until you've had your dinner! Everybody is rebelling!

But, yeah, we do feel pretty lucky. Thanks!

[fatblueman]

賢いだなぁ、この子！I wouldn't eat the eggplant either!

[geofg]

What! Don't tell Nina that! We're on an "eat your vegetables" crusade at the moment. How are your boys with eating veggies?

[hopewaterJP]

Probably about like every other kid in the world - terrible! For some reason broccoli always gets a mark of approval though, no idea why.

[sissysosro]

nina...i am 28 years old, and i have the same problem...!!!!

[senorinaa]

is that a popsicle? so big..