Have you ever noticed that when your six-year-old gets out of bed ten minutes after lights out because he just discovered he has a splinter in his hand, you can’t very well say, this is not the time to have a splinter, please go back to bed?

You pretty much just have to deal with the splinter. Right then. With the already-tired child who isn’t going to want to let you anywhere near the splinter-spot, since it’s starting to swell and hurt.

Even if you were planning to eat dinner right then instead.

Yeah, I hadn’t ever given it any particular thought before either. But now, let me assure you, I have.