The Miracle of Success: Two Nights in a Row, My Children Listened to Me

A miracle happened this week: My children listened to me! This week, my son actually smiled and followed my instructions the first time. I didn't have to yell or hear either of my kids yell at me—or even whine.

The kids were outside playing all afternoon. I gave them both the five-minute warning at 7:25 p.m. and they were agreeable to that, as usual. Then, five minutes later, I found Jessica and told her it was time to go home and...she listened! Then I found Clark and told him it was time to go home and... HE LISTENED! He smiled, told his friends he had to go, grabbed his bike, and rode it right to its spot in the garage.

Between 7:30-8:30 p.m. every night is stressful for me at our house. Clark is ADHD and wears the Daytrana patch from wake-up time until 5 p.m. every day. Like clockwork, at 7p.m. when his meds wear off, he is hyper and a little irrational. Sometimes he's violent. But for two nights this week, both kids were totally agreeable between 7:30-8:30 p.m. When I asked, "Will you please wash your hands for dinner?" I heard two voices say, "Yes, ma'am!" When I shut off the TV and said, "It's time to go upstairs!" I heard two voices say, "Yes, ma'am!" And both kids smiled.

I nearly fainted.

Jessica was in bed by 8:00 p.m. Clark was in bed by 8:45 p.m.

Maybe I'm more relaxed from my daily yoga. Maybe the stars are lined up. Maybe my children are growing up and my standing firm all this time made an impression. Maybe I turned the front doorknob three times to the left.

Whatever I did right, it worked.