"It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Starts Spittin' Chiclets."

My seven year-old sons were playing yesterday when suddenly the collective mood took a turn. Words were exchanged, attitudes reached unreasonable levels, and then Youngest clocked Oldest in the mouth. Good times. I constantly threaten to knock a tooth loose and so I shouldn't be surprised when one of my kids actually does it.

In addition to a lengthy time out (no, I do not hit my children to show hitting isn't right), the child was made to write five non-violent ways to resolve conflict. I make my *students* write twenty-five and then discuss Beastie Boys lyrics. Kid got off easy.

This is the list Youngest wrote down:


Let me translate before you hurt yourself.

1) Use words.
2) Tell Mom.
3) Say stop!!!
4) Use inside voice.
5) Ignore him.

Now the trick, I explained, is to actually use one of these solutions the next time a problem arises.

I know. We'll see.