Ex cathedra — Lights out!

Sean and Justin in the activity playground at Chatsworth, Derbyshire (August 2012)

After literally years of cajoling, remonstrating, and quarreling with Sean over bedtime ("aw, just a minute, Dad", "But it's the weekend, and anyway I can get up!", "The show will be over in just five minutes, Dad!", "Leave me alone!"), the problem is apparently solved.

"My teacher [one at his new school] says we should all be in bed by 10pm", he announced briefly before getting changed, brushing his teeth and toddling off, with amiable punctuality.

So that's the secret: don't be a parent. Or don't be this one. Why did I waste all that time arguing, when I could have hired a week-old authority figure?

At least it works, for now...