refrigerator, after breakfast. “Look what I made for you!”

Mark’s gaze expanded. “What the hell is that?”

“Language!” I chastised. It’s a chore chart just for you! See? If you tidy your room, do the dishes, and put your toys away, you can win gold stars.”

“My playthings? Sarah, how are you doing?

I interrupted him. “Yeah, and remember! There’s a new house rule now. Cut off all screens by precisely 9 p.m. That also applies to your phone, sir!”

Mark looked from bewildered to irate. “Are you serious? I’m an adult; I don’t require—”

“Ah, ah, ah!” I gave a finger wag. “No arguing, or you’ll have to go to the timeout corner!”

I stood by my principles over the following week. I used to unplug his game system and turn off the Wi-Fi every night at nine.

I even read him “Goodnight Moon” in my most calming voice and put him to bed with a drink of milk.

His food was presented on plastic plates with little gaps between them. I gave him animal crackers for snacks and sliced his sandwich into the form of a dinosaur. I used to tell him things like, “Use your words, honey,” when he grumbled. Big boys never complain.”

One major area of disagreement was the task chart. I used to make a big show of awarding him a gold star every time he finished a chore.

“Look at you, doing the laundry by yourself and putting it away! “Mom is very happy!”

“I’m not a child, Sarah,” he would murmur, gritting his teeth.

In response, I would say, “Of course not, my dear.” Who wants to assist in making cookies now?”

After a week or so of my little experiment, I reached my breaking point. After having an argument about his two-hour screen time limit, Mark had just been sent to the timeout corner. I quietly set the kitchen timer while he sat there furious.

He erupted, “This is ridiculous!” “I’m a grown man, for God’s sake!”

I arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Regarding that, are you certain? For the reason that adult men do not force their kids to sleep on the floor so they can stay up late playing video games.”

He began to lose steam. “All right, I understand. I apologize.”

I looked at him for a while. Although he appeared sincere in his regret, I wasn’t going to spare him when I still had one final blow to deal.

I answered gently, “Oh, I accept your apology.” “But I’ve already called your mom…”

He lost all of his facial color. “You didn’t.”

The knock on the door came just in time. When I opened it, I saw that Mark’s mother was inside, looking much like a frustrated parent.

“Mark!” she yelled as she strode inside. “Did you really make my sweeties sleep on the floor so you could play your little games?”

Mark appeared to wish that the floor would split open and engulf him. “Mum, that’s not the case… Really, I didn’t.”

Her expression softened as she turned to face me. “Oh Sarah, how I regret that you had to handle this. I believed that I had raised him more properly.”

I gave her an arm pat. Linda, it’s not your fault. It’s just that some males take longer than others to mature.”

Mark had a blazing red face. “Please, mom. I am thirty-five years old.”

Ignoring him, Linda turned back to face me. “Alright, don’t worry. I have freed up my next week’s schedule. I’ll quickly get this youngster back in shape.”

I met Mark’s gaze as Linda hurried to the kitchen, murmuring under her breath about the condition of the dishes. He appeared completely defeated.

“Sarah,” he murmured. “I really apologize. I acted carelessly and selfishly. It won’t take place once more.”

I grew a little softer. “Yes, honey, I understand. But I need to know that you’ve got things under control for when I’m not around. Instead of another playmate, the boys require a father.”

He gave an embarrassed nod. “You’re accurate. I swear, I’ll do better.”

I kissed him quickly and grinned. “I have no doubt that you will. Why don’t you go assist your mom in doing the dishes now? Perhaps we might have ice cream for dessert if you perform well.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit smug as Mark walked off to the kitchen. I hoped I learned my lesson. And in the event that it wasn’t, I still had that timeout area prepared and waiting.