Weeping and Wailing

Yesterday, I let the kids play outside before making a Costco run. After a 5 minute warning, both kids were called to the car and asked to put away their riding toy. Michael came pretty quickly. Amy, however, disobediently continued to play. I buckled Michael in his car seat and proceeded to start the car. I was still trying to decide what to do. I've been trying to come up with an effective consequence as she frequently delays obedience when called to come in from outside. Of course, I wouldn't leave her by herself, but  I had half a mind to call my neighbor and ask him to watch her a moment while I drove around the block. I never had a chance to make the phone call. From around the back of the house came the worst crying sounds I think I've ever heard.

"WAAAAA. MOMMY, MOMMY, STOP!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAA. MOMMY DON'T LEAVE ME.  BOO HOOO, BOOO HOOOO. MOMMY, I'M COMING. WAAAAAA." It was horrible. Now I wondered if I needed to call the neighbors before they called the police...

As I got out of the car to help drag her riding toy into the garage and then buckle her into the car seat she continued to sob. Finally she calmed down enough for me to try and make a "teaching moment."

"Amy," I asked. "If you had come when mommy called, this would not have happened. When mommy calls," I continued. "You must obey immediately!"

I looked at her sternly, hoping this would be a lesson that left a deep impact.

"Mommy," came the intrepid response, "Did my weeping and wailing keep you from leaving me?"