My smart little boy

Today, Ben and I went for a bike ride (Ben rode his bike while I walked along side). He was slowly pedaling up a tiny hill, when he slowed down to whine, "Mom, I can't do it!" I gave him a little push and said, "yes you can!" He pedaled 3 more times before he tired out and whinily said again, "Mom - I CAN'T do it!" So, I said, "Ben, I don't want to hear that you can't do it. I want you to say, 'Mom, I can do it!'" So, he pedaled about 5 more times and then said, "Mom, I..." when I hastily interrupted him to say, "Ben, I said I didn't want to hear that you can't do it!" But then Ben said, "But I was just going to say, 'Mom, I love you.'" Oh, that smart little boy knows just the right buttons to push. Where does he learn this stuff??