Punishment

Recently, and by recent I mean twice in the past week, Brenna has decided to exercise some extra "independence" from the rules.

Over the past weekend, she wanted to invite her friend up the street to come down and play. I said that it was fine, but that she couldn't go until after lunch. Well she gobbled down her lunch and dragged he older brother with her down the street. While I meant come and get me after lunch and we'll go together, she heard chow down and go.

We came up with some better rules:
     You don't leave the house without telling a grown up.
     You don't drag someone else into your trouble.
     You take a phone with you.
   

On Friday, I got a call at work. I hate calls at work...because they are bad news. Brenna took Gunnar and went into a neighbor's backyard and left Odin. Now the other stay at home dad was out and about...but again it clearly crossed a line that we had discussed.

Gunnar received a stern talking to, but being Brenna's second offense in less than 7 days, we dropped the hammer. It's a weekend of solitary confinement. No outside, no friends, no tv, no computer, no tablet...her and her room.

We did have to go out and buy a few things Friday night so we took her with us. Oh, it was so much fun. She wasn't talking to me...mind you she knew she was wrong, and anticipated the trouble...she told me that herself, but I got the silent treatment.

Brenna?
     Glare in my direction
What's wrong?
     Shrug
Are you going to tell me?
     Shrug
Are you not talking to me?
     Nod
(This is going to be great)
     Pout

She proceeded to walk about 10 paces behind the rest of us in the store looking at the floor like a defeated puppy.

It was at this moment that my husband and I made it into a game.

Justin asked her to pick out dinner...silly boy...she could point.

I used her brother. I offered Odin a toy for his potential traumatic episode being left alone...to which he happily obliged. Gunnar asked next, and I allowed because he had a tough day at the doctor's office. Brenna putzed around, I asked what's wrong...and she spoke. HA! I declined the toy because she was after all being punished.

Today has been better, she has been speaking to me and Justin...as well as the neighborhood through her bedroom window...can't wait for her to be a teenager.