People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

Sometimes, the day starts with disciplining.  

With cajoling, prodding, pleading, threatening.  

With threats of consequences, of no treats, of no fun stuff, of no bike riding.  

Counting, 1, 2, 3, "you better get over here now," "why must you make a mess every time?," "stop hitting your brother."

Grab an arm, scoot them to the time-out chair, pick them up.

Just B-E-H-A-V-E.

And the day ends, and they are lying still in their beds, mouth half-open, soft child-like snoring.  And I feel bad for every bad thought, for every not-so-nice word, for every time I thought about how much this sucks for me.  

My boys -- my three boys.  Tomorrow, I will be more patient, more understanding.  More fatherly.

As long as they behave...  :-)