on tickets

(Tonight's conversation with Jonathan after a poor choice resulting in the loss of screen time tomorrow.)

Jona: "But Mom, I didn't remember that it was wrong!! Please, give me another chance."

Alicia: "Jona, do you remember when I got my one and only speeding ticket? I didn't mean to speed, but I was still breaking the law. After the policeman gave me a ticket you said, 'Thank God he stopped us. God used him to save our lives because we could have had an accident.' The policeman gave me a ticket now to save us from an accident later. Daddy and I are giving you a ticket now to help prevent an accident later."

Jona: "But I had plans for my screen time tomorrow."

Alicia: "Yep, I had plans for that $125 too. You know we're doing the right thing, Jona."

Jona: "Yeah. I do. It's just hard."

(Thank you Mr. Policeman, for stopping me, for not letting me off easy, for giving me a life-lesson in the presence of my son.)