I seem to have a lot in common with my 3-year-old daughter. We love sweets, we kick and scream when we don’t get our way and our favorite word is “No!”

It’s amazing how many times a day that little word comes out of my own mouth.

“Can we have cookies for breakfast?”

“No.”

“Can we watch PG-13 movies?”

“No.”

I sound like a droning, repeating robot. It’s really no wonder my kids don’t listen to me: I’m always saying the same thing.

“No. No. No. No. NO!”

I began to wonder, is there anything I say “yes” to?

Indeed there is — not much — but a few things. I say yes to fruit, water and the rare offer from my kids to help me do something (like clean).

But for the last couple of years, our 7-year-old son has been asking for a dog.

“NO! We have a dog.”

“But she is your dog, and she’s old,” he rebutted every time. “She won’t sleep in my room or play with me.”

“No!” and “Double NO!” when I am cleaning up spilled dog food, etc.

My son does feed our old dog and talk to her, but she is otherwise not too interactive with him. At the age of 91 in dog years, she is in pretty good health, but she’d rather nap.

So my son continued to pursue his dream: “Can I have a dog? How about now? Now? Maybe tomorrow?”

“No. No. No. No.”

And then it happened. I was overcome with something: Mom Guilt. This kid loves animals. Socially, he prefers animals. Maybe it will be good for him … ?

“Mom, can I have a dog?”

“Yes.”

It was out of my mouth before I realized I said it. We’d had a rough week, and a snuggly friend would be so welcoming. It was time: Let’s find the boy a dog.

And we did.

Our new family member will be joining us in March. He is currently in the prison dog training program through the Humane Society.

The lesson in all of this? Patience. Our son has posted pictures of his new BFF on his school binder and bedroom wall. He is saving money to buy a collar and toys.

He is a happy, happy boy. (And his behavior has been stellar, too!)

Mommy (and Daddy) finally said, “Yes!” And I admit it felt good to say yes and give our family — especially our son — something to look forward to.

I just hope after a few weeks the new dog doesn’t think his name is “NO!”

Coming soon: What’s in a name?