While sitting at my computer I could hear Abram screaming at Levi. Those two boys thoroughly enjoy each other, but they also tend to fight more than the rest. Since I have been really cracking down on any and all outbursts with Abram lately, I quickly got up from my chair and walked down the hall and called out to Abram to come to me. He swiftly turned the corner of his bedroom and faces me.

Abram innocently asks,"What Mama?"

Me: "Were you hollering at your brother?"

Abram: "Yes."

Me: "Why?"

Abram: "He won't listen to me, unless I yell."

Me: "Well I have told you that you are not allowed to talk like that in this house."

Abram: "I know, you tell me that alot."

Me: "So put your nose on this wall right here, and think about it for a few minutes."

Abram quietly places his nose on the wall. All the boys are visiting with each other and Dad, and after a few minutes I decide to see if Abram has learned his lesson.

Me: "Abram, come here."

He walks over to me.

Me: "So what did you get in trouble for?"

Abram: "For yelling, but Mom it's really hard to keep my emotions under control."

Me: "I know it is, so that is why we are going to put your nose on the wall each time, so that you can think about ways to keep them in control better."

Abram: "Well I'm trying not to cry. My heart beats really fast in my body, but I try to keep my eyes really dry."

I smile.

Me: "Well that's good, but what if all of us went around screaming and yelling everytime we wanted something, or because we were unhappy? What kind of a house would this be?"

Abram thinks about it for a second, and says, "A DEAF house."

I smirk and say, "That's right a DEAF house. Do you want to live in a deaf house?"

Abram: "No way!"

Me: "Me neither, so let's not turn everyone deaf Abram, think about that before you yell next time."

Abram: "Good idea!"