Pets

I used to do that sometimes when I got overwhelmed.
I’d tell littlebird, “Help me set the timer. I need 18 minutes to adjust my attitude in time out.”
Littlebird was happy to work alone at her easel with her paints and crayons and markers and a stack of newsprint, while I sat on the back stoop, breathing deep breaths and watching the clouds.

When the timer went off, littlebird would come to the back screen door, knock, open the door and say, “the timer dinged, mama, are you ‘justed now and ready to leave timeout? Come see what I made!”🥰

She was such a sweet and easy child. I got time out more often than she did!😂
She’s all grown up now, and she’s still my sweet littlebird.
🩵🕊tcw