Mama has spoken

When you have two boys, wrestling, climbing, jumping, hanging upside down is allowed in the house (well in my house it is.) But purposely hitting each other because you are mad at them is a NO NO NO. Well, yesterday afternoon, I had gone to the bedroom to get something and when I returned to the living room, I caught Patrick kicking Ronan after he pushed him down on the floor. I was livid! I wanted to scream but I knew they wouldn't hear that. So I sat both of them down, and with a deep and loud (over normal speaking voice) I started my interrogation. "What happened here." P:"I was building my lego and Ronan just took it without asking" R: "I wanted it" Did you use your words to ask for it? R: "No, but I want it" P: " So I took it back from him and then he hit me". R: "He didn't want me to have it" " It is NOT appropriate and acceptable to use physical violence! You do not hit your friends, you do not hit your brother! You use your words and if that doesn't work, you find me! Is that understood! I am very disappointed and sad with this behaviour. Turn the TV off and it will remain off for the next 3 days!! Ronan you stay here and sit on that chair and Patrick in dada's office on the time-out chair". They went quietly on their respective chairs and I turned the timer on--7 minutes. And as I put the 'shroud" over the TV and write the sign I realized --holy mackarel, this means no TV for me too. (yikes). Ronan who usually complains when put on time out was very quiet--he knew he was very guilty. Anyway, when the timer went off, I sat both of them down again and had them look at me in the eye and tell me what they are not to do and what to do when words don't work. Then I had them look at each other and apologize. And this is when Patrick says " mom, he looks like he's going to kiss me!". Well they said sorry to each other and gave each other bear hugs until they fell off the couch and then they gave me a hug. All is well in the world again....at least for now. Let's see if we survive the next 3 days without TV.
Wish me luck.