Sophie got all excited when she saw bubbles overflowing from my mop bucket.  “BUBBLES,” she squealed.

“They’re not like bath bubbles, Sophie.  They’re cleaning bubbles and you can’t play with them.” 

“Yes I can.”

“NO, you can’t.”  I turned my back for a couple of minutes then turned around to find her splashing bubbles everywhere.  So I calmly firmly rather loudly told her that SHE COULD NOT and  put her in time out.

This was her plea from time out. 

“I didn’t DOOOO anything!”

Silence.  I’m mopping.  She’s in time out.  I’m not supposed to respond.  Don’t you watch Supernanny?

“I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!”

 “Sorrrrry, MOM.  I’M SORRY!”

Silence.

“I didn’t MEAN to.  I’m SORRRRRY!  I’m SORRRY!”

Silence.

“I didn’t mean to, Mommy!  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to.”

Silence.

“I DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER!”

HUH?  Manipulation so early?  I was stunned.  I broke the rule and responded.  “YESSS you did!”

“I DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER!”

Heavy sigh.

Where do I go from there?

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