When it comes time to trim A’s toenails, she and I enter into a complex negotiation process that usually goes something like this:

Me: "A, your toenails are getting very long. May I trim them tonight?"

A: "No, tomorrow. Tomorrow."

The next day…

Me: "OK, A, it’s time to trim your toenails. Remember yesterday you said I could trim them tonight?"

A: "M first."

I trim M’s toes and fingernails.

Me: "OK, now can I trim your toenails?"

A: "One toe."

Me: "OK. I will trim one toe."

A: "Which foot do you want?"

Me: "This one."

A: "No, you can have the other one."

After I trim one toe on the other foot…

Me: "A, can I trim the rest of your toenails now?"

A: "No, only one toe."

Me: "OK. Could I trim just this one other toe?"

A: "OK."

Me: "Now can I trim just this one other toe?" (making my way slowly across her foot.)

A: "OK."

[This process gets repeated for the rest of her toes.]

Finally, her toes are done.

A: "Can I have a cookie?"

Me: "One cookie."

A: "No, two cookies."

Two cookies it is.