The Wimpy Gambit

I would gladly pay tomorrow, for a hamburger today.

Wimpy, from Popeye

The Wimpy Gambit is when a child attempts to procure a promise for the future. What the promise is can range anywhere from having a cookie, to playing a video game, to having a friend over, to something they’ve never asked before. Sometimes the Wimpy Gambit is presented as an exchange. For instance, the child will voluntarily do a chore now if you’ll promise them something for later. The key is always: what is the “something?”

Of all the various techniques kids use, the Wimpy Gambit is the easiest to handle with a variety of techniques at the parent’s disposal. There is no one best way.

The simplest method is to give in. Of course, this depends entirely on how benign the “promise” is, which, of course, falls into the personal taste flavor of things. Generally speaking, if it’s harmless and/or hassle free, there’s little to lose. Plus, the parent has now gained an advantage: they allowed the child to do something, and some form of recompense can be made later on.

Another common counter technique is to brush the request off until later. The main hope here is that the child will forget their request. Generally speaking, this doesn’t happen. When it comes to something they want, children have a memory like an elephant. When brushing them off, be prepared for them broaching the subject later. Also, be prepared for a “Flood-the Zone” attack, where the child will continue to ask the same thing over and over again.

Denying the Wimpy Gambit is another possibility. The main cost here is the hassle of dealing with some sort of blow-back. The child may do anything from stomping off in a fit of rage and disappointment, to start whining and asking “Why?” (Answer: always “Because.”)

There’s also a horse-trading technique where the parent can extract favors, or promises of their own, from the child in exchange for their own promise. Generally, if allowable, this is the best way to go. Making them earn something in return for a reward of their own choosing can make everyone happy.

Often times, the Wimpy Gambit will be deployed when the child thinks the parent is either distracted or tired. Or both. It is an attempt to sneak one over an unsuspecting parent when their guard is down. The child can actually become quite accurate at judging these moments of weakness. This scenario can lead to the worst case outcome where a promise is made that never should have been. Beware, reneging on a “promise” does not go well with a child. Ever.