Law Enforcement

Madeleine got a time-out for writing on the walls, as usual - but this time in ink. Daniel was with me when I was time-outing her, and when we went through the pre-release rituals, Daniel wrote a role for himself into the script:

Me: Madeleine, why are you in time-out?

Madeleine: Because I wanna say "Sorry."

[Jumbled, yet understood and accepted.]

Me: You don't write on the walls - okay?

Madeleine (in tears): Yes, Daddy.

Me: Now you go tell Mommy you're sorry.

[Actually, Mommy's the only one who cares, but that's another story...]

As Madeleine was released from detention, Daniel hopped up and said, "I'll make sure she does."

About two minutes later, Daniel marched up the stairs and dutifully delivered a very mixed report:

"Daddy, she said 'I'm sorry' to Mommy, but she was crying while she said it.

(November 5, 2011)