it works for little ones too

Back to the Love and Logic.  Yesterday morning I had to do something and I'd told Hudson to play in his room.  He cannot be alone for 2 seconds and must be near me Always!!  I heard his door slam and I went to investigate.  He was sitting on his floor surrounded by Dillon's DS games and he was holding Dillon's wallet.  BUSTED!  I reigned in my usual response, which is anger, and went for shock and awe folks.  Just as I learned in Love and Logic, I mustered up the saddest and full of empathy voice I could.  I said "Oh Hudson, I am sooooo sad that you chose to disobey mommy by getting down Dillon's DS games.  And what are you doing with his wallet.  As soon as the word sad left my lips, his eyes squinched up, his mouth opened and he wailed!!!!  He wailed and wailed and wailed--heartbroken sadness.  I didn't even have to do anything.  So, I held him calmly while he was a basketcase(once he begins down the slope of tears it lasts a long time--this is a common issue for children who've experienced trauma and disruption of attachements in their lives).  Just as Love and Logic states, I got to be the good guy and we were so sad about his choice of disobedience.  Amazing.  I'm hopeful that I can stop reverting to my flash of anger and  use sadness instead.  Try it.