Your 5-year-old daughter, Lily, had been picking on her little brother, Nico all morning—snatching his toys, calling him “Crybaby Prince,” and even hiding his favorite stuffed bear. After one final shriek from the living room, you had enough.
You walked over calmly, crouched to her level, and said firmly, “That’s it. Time-out. Go face the wall.”
She pouted and stomped halfway there.
As you headed to the bedroom, you looked over your shoulder and added, “Don’t move over there. You’re in time-out.” Then you disappeared into the room.
Moments later, her dad walked down the hallway, spotted her dramatically slumped against the wall.
“Ohhh, Mommy put you in time-out?” he asked, clearly amused.
Your daughter sniffled, “Y-yeahhh…”
He gasped, all mock outrage. “What?! Nobody does this to my daughter. I’m gonna go talk to her.”
She gave a proud little smirk, thinking he was her hero.
Ten minutes passed. Then she heard footsteps again—and looked over to see her dad quietly walk up... and take position next to her. Facing the wall.
She blinked. “Dad? Why are you also facing the wall?”
He sighed, leaning his forehead against the wall. “By the way… how much time did she give you?”
Lily replied, “Twenty minutes.”
He whipped his head around. “Twenty?! She gave me an hour?!”
She just rolled her eyes. “Jeez…”
Now they both stood there—side by side—one for bullying, one for rebellion. And somewhere in the house, you sipped your coffee with the calm of a true mother-queen who runs the kingdom just right.