Negotiator

I tell people I am a teacher, but really I am a negotiator.

I negotiate the time I'll get out of bed with my alarm clock's snooze button. It eventually wins, and I stumble to the shower.

I negotiate the temperature of the water and the length of time I shower with the hot water heater. It eventually wins and I hurry to the closet.

I negotiate what to wear with the size of my stomach. It eventually wins and I reluctantly hike up my roomy pair of jeans.

I negotiate the style of my hair with it's natural waves and frizz. It eventually wins and I slip on a headband.

I negotiate with my daughter what shirt to wear, which toothpaste to use, how the banana should be peeled, whether or not she wears a jacket, what backpack pocket should be used for which papers, when to leave for the bus stop...

It is then that I go to work...
And continue negotiating...
And negotiating...
And negotiating...