(Two brothers start fighting over a toy in the Children’s Room. They aren’t listening to their mother, who is trying to select books to take home.)

Me: “If you boys can’t share nicely with that toy, I’ll have to put it away so neither of you can play.”

Boys: “Okay, miss [my name].”

Mother: “Thank you. They never listen to me.”

(The boys start fighting again. I go in and take the toy away, putting it up out of reach. The boys start crying in unison.)

Boys: “Mommy!”

Mother: *to me* “I can’t believe you really took it away! That’s so mean!”

(She grabs the boys and they leave. I am speechless, but now I know why they never listen to their mother!)