As I prepared dinner, the boys were all having their fun.  One of my boys was in the basement and a friend from down the block had come over to play.

As I continued with dinner, the doorbell rang.  A new random neighborhood child had shown up at the door.  Having at one point been a random neighborhood child myself, I understood the phenomena.  Children show up to play.  Let them be kids.  Continue about my business.

Random Child had a simple question, “Can I play?”

Sure, come on in.  I suspect that the child you are looking for is in the basement.  I did however have a message for Random Child.  A ground rule.  “We are having dinner in 15 minutes.”  Code words for “At 5:45 PM, you will need to scram.”

There, I had given my guidance.  Welcome to the Paulsen House, Random Child, but that’s the key rule to leave by.  You will need to vanish by dinnertime.

Looking at me with such honest intentions, Random Child responded, “I need to be home by 6:30 PM.”

Um, that’s nice Random Child with no sense of time.  On second thought, you can leave now.