Nathan locked me out of the house. Again. Except this time, I made sure to have my keys with me before I walked out. So I unlocked the door and came inside.
“Nathan, no no! You don’t touch the door!” I said as I shut the door behind me.
“I sowy!” Nathan said.
“I know you’re sorry,” I said, “but you’re not allowed to touch the door. You locked Mommy out again.” Then Nathan’s little eyes filled with tears.
“I in biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig twouble,” he moaned as the tears spilled out of his eyes, leaving little paths of glistening sadness on his cheeks. I may have melted just a little. I opened up my arms and drew my son to me.
“This is your warning,” I said as I held him close. I really, REALLY didn’t want to put the little guy in time out because my heart was already breaking seeing him cry. “But next time, ” I continued, “you won’t have a warning. You’ll have Big Trouble for sure and a time out.”
“I sowy, Mommy” he said against my neck.
I love that kid. I love him more than anything in this world.