For the Child Who Plays Instead of Cleaning

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

What to say

1. This is cleanup time, not play time. The cars go in the bin, not on the track.

2. Finding a game in the mess is more fun than the mess. I know that pull.

3. Three cars in the bin, then you hand me the fourth one and I put it away.

4. Fill the bin first, then we build one track. One.

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.