For the Child Who Leaves the Room When Play Ends

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

What to say

1. When you leave the rug, cleanup comes first and the next thing comes after.

2. Walking away is the fastest way out of a boring job. I understand the pull.

3. Before you go to the kitchen, the sixteen magnatiles go back in the clear bin.

4. You tell me when the bin is full and I check it, then you go.

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.