Me Humbled

"Kate, come here, honey, Mommy needs to talk to you."

"What Mommy?" eyes glimmering with importance and curiosity.

"Lately, everytime Mommy or Daddy says 'No', you fall apart, screaming and kicking. That's not ok. Screaming doesn't get you your way."

Eyes, big and brown and serious now, fixed on me. I have her complete attention. I can hardly believe this is going so well. And also, what an excellent mother I am.

"What do you think we can do about this, Kate? We can't have you screaming all the time."

Eyes, big and brown and grave now, make contact with my own eyes. A beat goes by, then two...

"Well, you and Daddy could just say 'Yes' when I ask you something."