Hug It Out

Last week the boys piled themselves into the rig to head to school in usual fashion.---This consisted of the boys arguing about who was going to sit next to Petunia and saying things to each other that weren't nice.
You know that voice in your head that wants you to LOSE it....and tell them what you really think?! I had a moment. In my head I just wanted to blurt out "SHUUUUUUUUUT UP!"
But---we don't talk like that in our house...as I am sure is the same rule in others' homes I know.
So once again I resisted this urge and tried another response. I don't like getting upset... angry...irritated with them, especially when I am about to send them off for the day. So, even though we were running late I put the car back into park, turned around and told them to stop what they were whining and arguing about....and hug each other.
Bubba immediately seizes the opportunity and squeezes his brother too tight and lets go. Tubbs begins to cry because he says his brother hurt him.
Holy cow. This was not what I thought would happen. Can't they just read my mind and follow my plan.... for once?!
So---I tell Bubba to comfort his brother and apologize.
Then I tell them to hug and not to let go until I say.
I proceed to get my camera out...as you can see from the evidence below.


Then I asked them to sign the ABC song TOGETHER. (I could have thought of a good primary song from church, but I didn't want them to argue with me about not knowing the words.)
They begin to sing together and within seconds they start laughing.
After they were done singing, while they were still hugging they had to tell each other: I love you brother, you are my best friend."
After about 2 minutes I was done torturing them and ripping out of my driveway. I am happy to report that after this spectacle they got along great all the way to school.
Its a miracle!
I am definitely using this technique more often.