As anyone who has children knows, even the most obedient and well behaved do at times kick over the traces. Sometimes that can be a problem, but frequently it is hilarious. Although they must not ever know that of course ! It would take all the fun out of their escapades. After all, if there is no real need for worry, there is no where near as much fun for the perpetrators.  And in cases like the one above, the cookies don't taste anywhere near as delicious ! The pleasure is as much in accomplishing the mission as it is in savouring the taste.

 You must admit they can be ingenious at times. And for that they definitely do deserve recognition. Of course Mommy must scold,  because it cannot be ignored, but the level of intensity must always be proportional to the crime involved. The prudent thing is to be sure they realize that there is a possibility that they may hurt themselves and aside from breaking a rule they also must understand that they cannot take such risks without knowing a punishment may well be self administered,  in addition to that about to be levelled by 'mean old Mommy'.

 It's all well and good for the one securely in place on the floor, but the one teetering above reaching for the forbidden treasure may  well slip and fall. And that would hurt ..  and maybe even cause a lot of tears ! And then how good would the cookies taste?

We all take those years so much for granted while in the midst of them that we often don't fully appreciate  the day to day  chuckles these precious little wonders give us. Think about it. It took planning and thought to come up with a way to reach what you were sure was well out of temptation's way. And yet they devised a method. It took team work,  timing and opportunity. There are adults who don't plan as well ! If you are honest with yourself, you have to recognize that  these little imps are pretty darn smart ! So.. it ruins their dinner. That is not the end of the world.

 As  I can tell you, there will be much more disastrous  escapades  in  years to come. One doesn't go from being a mischievous little imp to a fully mature adult without many pitfalls along the way and you will face many heartaches during those years. But I promise you every single minute of it is worthwhile. Watching the transition with all its  attendant experiments and explorations, often with bated breath and fighting the instinct to  interfere  to protect them from their desire to seek new adventures can be difficult at times but they will frequently surprise you at how well they cope without  you. Don't feel badly when that happens. It means only one thing. You are doing your job admirably. Preparing children for  life is a challenging task. If you cosset and protect them too much they will enter adulthood unequipped to deal with what lies ahead. Allowing the little mistakes and failures teaches them how to cope with the much bigger challenges  they will encounter in the future.

In the meantime, get ready for the next escapade. It's guaranteed it will be a doozie. Maybe the next one will be funny but its much more likely it will scare the dickens out of you. Children don't even begin to understand fear. Oh sure, they may be afraid of the dark but in broad daylight they have the courage of a lion. And they seldom consider the consequences of whatever new adventure they are about to embark upon. Keeping up with them is a daunting task and will definitely keep you on your toes. And the older they get, the more risks they take. How about deciding at the age of ten to drive Dad's car when Mom leaves the keys lying around ? That would be exciting. No thought of  what it takes to drive one of those motorized menaces. Looks pretty simple when Mom or Dad does it. Let's take a spin around the block ! But we better be quick ... Mom will be out of the bathtub  before we know it and the chance will be gone. Ok.. now how do we back this thing up ? 

Holy cow !! that sure wasn't the way to do it , we just drove right through the garage door ! Jeez ! I sure am glad I knew where the brake was or we might have ended up in the back yard. Now, how do we explain this one ? Let's put the keys back and maybe Mom will think it started itself.  Yep..  I told you it would be a doozie. They might  have  really been hurt. It took about two minutes for them to admit their culpability. They may be fearless but they haven't a clue how to tell a lie  without it being written all over their faces. Now, how do I keep a straight face while I read them the riot act and figure out how I am going to explain this one to their Dad ? I was careless  and should have known better than to leave a temptation around these little monsters. I certainly know how cars fascinate them and I should know  by now that they will try anything given the chance.  See.. they even make you think it is your fault and they do it  so easily !

  You think that was a biggie ? You haven't even begun to see the magnitude of the schemes these machiavellian juvenile minds can dream up. You thought the days when they plotted ways to get at the cookie jar were ingenious ? You ain't seen nuthin' yet ! 
I hasten to add, they aren't innately evil or even incorrigible, they are children, filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure, and haven't yet learned that caution is the wisest course when trying something for the first time. Only time and experience will provide the necessary wisdom to know when prudence and logic trumps daring.

 My only advice is to never ever take anything for granted with these little people you have been given the gigantic task of nurturing from infancy to adulthood. The journey will be filled with drama, but it will also have an abundance of joy and  be the most  fulfilling time of your life. Cherish every second for the time will go so quickly that before you know it they will  be adults , hopefully still filled with a sense of wonder and adventure but with the wisdom to know when to think twice before jumping off cliffs. It's important that you don't destroy that sense of adventure. It will serve them well throughout their lives, and you will have done a great job of raising a couple of pretty amazing adults.

And just think ! You get another chance to relive the adventure when they have their own children, only this time  you get to sit back and watch the show without tearing your hair out. It's retribution time !