First, I must say that typically Mason is an angel at bedtime. There are two steps: reading and rocking. We read a book, rock a bit and then he tells me it's time for his crib.

Tonight just before bedtime he threw a fit over something-or-other. When I tried to put him in time-out he ran from me!! I eventually picked him up, then he tried to hit, pinch, scratch and even bite! He was really screaming and just lost control. He already had his PJs on, so I took him to his crib and told him goodnight, and informed him that he has lost both reading and rocking privileges.

As you might predict, he came out a couple of minutes later, still enraged. I carefully picked him up and set him back down in his crib, wishing him goodnight. After a bit longer he came out with only a slight sob and a different attitude, this time saying, "I'm sssssooooorrrryyy Mommy." I thanked him, hugged him, then took him back to bed.

After even longer, Kenzie came to me showcasing her best diplomacy skills, "Mom, I told Mason that he just needs to tell you he's sorry and he'd like to do that." Again, I allowed him to say he was sorry, hugged him, but this time told him that he needed to put himself to bed. "Why Mommy" he sobbed, in a sad little sorry faltering voice. "Goodnight." I said, and pointed toward his room. Slowly he made his way. Cindy and I looked at each other: "Really?? is he going to do it??" we both questioned. We listened, and then heard the thump of him dropping into his crib! Wow, we thought, that was miraculous.

I went to peek, saw his sobbing little body face down in his crib. After a minute I picked him up, congratulated him on listening well, and told him that because of that I was going to rock him. He was completely limp as we began rocking. His only words reminded me that kids will push your every limit. He said, "Why, Mommy, why no reading?"