Fight a losing battle?

You know how, as a parent, you're told to pick your battles? Yeah. This is me losing mine.

Last night - Mark's bouncing a fussy Luke, Matthew's whining:

Matthew: Mummy take Luke?
Belly: No, Luke's with Daddy. You need to wait your turn - you can share Daddy with Luke.

Pause.

Matthew: Mummy take Luke?
Belly: No.

Pouty pause.

M: Mummy take Luke now?
B: Nope. Your bath has almost finished filling. Then you can have Daddy all to yourself!
M: Play now, then bath?
B: Sure...play for 10 minutes and then you'll have a bath.

Pause.

M: I want to play hockey.
B: Oh, really? (suspicious now)
M: Daddy plays hockey with Matthew.
B: (the light is dawning) Oh....I see where this might be going...
M: Daddy plays hockey. Mummy take Luke, right?

CRAP!