The sounds of arguing drift down the stairs.

Danger Monkey, age 9: “It’s a free country!”

Little Miss Thing, age 6: “But it’s my bedroom!”

Danger Monkey, age 9: “It’s a free country!”

Little Miss Thing, age 6: “But it’s my bedroom!” (repeat 10 times)

Me, shouting: “Hey! You two upstairs! I don’t care what you’re arguing about but you need to use your brains and your words to come to a creative solution to your problem. Don’t just shout the same things at each other over and over.”

DM: (whisper) “What did he say?”

LMT: (whisper) “He said you’re kicked out of my room for the rest of the day.”

DM: “Awww, man!”