Testing Dad

This weekend was the first good amount of time John has spent at home since we got back from vacation (the week after we got back, he jetted off to Singapore!). During his time away, I started time out with the kids and they're actually doing well with it. Although the kids are in time out several times a day for the exact same thing, they are learning what it is and the things that get them in trouble. Since dad was home, our sweet little Abby decided she'd see what he would do if she did something wrong. So, she walked over to our little side table in the den, looked at dad, smiled and shook it as hard as she could (laughing of course). She kept at it and I finally told John that he had to put her in time out. She knew what I would do, but she was looking at him to see what he would do. He didn't want to do that, so I ended up putting her in time out. Then as soon as she got out, she did this all over.
Later I told John he should read Love & Logic so we are at least on the same page with disciple, but he said he'd rather I deal with this "testing" phase and he'll pick up when they're out of it. Hmmm - when do they get out of this testing phase? I think it only gets harder from here.
However, by the end of the weekend, my fabulous husband reluctantly joined in on the time out train. The kids were very hurt to have daddy put them in time out, but hopefully they'll catch on to the time out idea soon so we're not spending so much time in time out. (okay, could I have said "time out" any more times in this last paragraph?!?)