For the Child Who Won’t Put Pajamas On

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

What to say

1. Pajamas at seven forty, story at eight. Pajamas come first.

2. Standing there in your clothes is the last piece of the day that is yours to decide.

3. Pajamas are on your pillow before dinner, and you change with the door shut.

4. If they are not on by seven fifty, I sit on the floor and wait while you finish.

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.