Morgan - I very much believe, like you, in the 'what is done is done', especially at his age. Later he may get grounded for a length of time, but not now.

Now he must say sorry, then I say that is okay and it is forgotten about. Sometimes I think that I need to emphasise a bit more.

Years ago I tapped him on the back of the hand - once when he was refusing to leave an electric plug alone and once when he was pulling evil cat's tail (and she was letting him!). Both times he giggled. I don't think I'm good at the corporal punishment.

I am also rotten at guilt trips. I've blogged before about him furious with me because I tripped on a car he had left lying around and dislocated my shoulder - I broke the car. But I grew up being hit by them a lot, so it is not a path I want to take anyway. However I do need to try and get him to empathise with other people's feelings, and I am working on that.

Currently I need to drag myself off the computer and help OH dragging little bear into bed. He has been very grumpy today, with lots of tantrums, all of which have got him nowhere. Mind you, in between I have had some lovely cuddles.