discipline 101

Most days are filled with sweet children, laughter, and [naturally] the occasional bad attitude.  Lately it seems Ava has hit a rough patch and there is more attitude than sweet spirit.  This is growth, she is testing the boundaries, and it's a part of learning.  That's what I tell myself on a good day.  Today was not one of those days.  It was time to clean up the toys in the back yard and head to the front of the house to mow the lawn.  Apparently this announcement displeased young Ava, and she communicated that to me by throwing herself on the ground and yelling.  Lovely.  I really don't have time to take her inside and deal with this, what are my options?  Well, this will be new but we'll give it a go.

"Ava, you will take yourself inside, get a piece of paper and pencil, and write me four sentences telling me why throwing a fit was not the acceptable way to deal with your disappointment."

After about ten minutes of stomping around (yes I could hear her even outside), and growling her frustration at me, she finally gave in and presented me with the following...hmmmm.