My friend used to say to her (terrible) daughter "You are grounded - you are in the house for a month", and I would see the kid out in the street the next day, because as you say, Jean, it was more punishment for the mother! I said to her in the end "Why don't you just say you are grounded for 2 days and stick to it" The good news, Sue, is that she is now almost 40 and a very gracious young lady! Marj > My husband used to suggest we ground our younger daughter as a punishment. I > preferred other means as keeping her in the house was more of a punishment > for me rather than for her. I suggest confiscating the phone for a week and > letting her go gliding. -:))) --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.314 / Virus Database: 175 - Release Date: 11/01/02