<p>Carolyn I just love your story. This is what I think of as inspired parenting. I know that over the years when my kids have just driven me insane and me them, the only productive way out is absurdity. I remember once, on one of hundreds of mom drives, when the two of them in the back seat had been fighting at that horrible but sustainable level only siblings can find, for 30 minutes, first I turned the radio way loud so I didn't have to hear the fighting. Then when we pulled up into the driveway of our house, I opened the car door, walked around to the side of the van, opened it, grabbed their stuff (they were maybe 6 and 9) and threw it ALL into the street.</p>
<p>Then I stalked into the house.</p>
<p>Absurd, succinct, non-shaming, memorable. So are your Cheerios, albeit you have to wear them whereas I inflicted the absurdity on my children. Hmmm. Have to think about that:).</p>