For the Child Who Wants the Big Light On

Four lines you can say out loud tonight. Word for word. Free to save.

What to say

1. The big light goes off at eight. The small lamp on your dresser stays on.

2. The dark gets bigger when you are the only person in it.

3. The lamp has three clicks. I turn it to the lowest one before I leave, and you hear it click.

4. It stays on until you are asleep. I come back at nine and click it off.

When to use it

This is for the moment it actually goes wrong — not the calm version you rehearse in the car. Pick one line. Say it once. Then stop talking and wait three seconds. If they push back, repeat the same line, not a new one. Say the same thing for five nights before you decide it doesn't work.