If you grew up with an older or younger brother or sister, then you know what it is like to have an argument. When mom’s away the children will play, or should the saying be: when mom’s away the children will destruct.

A co-worker recently received news that one of her youngest boys had created a hole in a wall in her home. This may not seem like such a big deal. That is until you hear the fact that the hole was the size of his full body.

The two boys were rough housing when the oldest apparently pushed the smaller brother through the wall. Of course, the boys really didn’t want to get in too much trouble for their sudden interest in remodeling the house, so they sent their mother an e-mail to let her know what had just happen.

This was not the best way to receive the news of having a small child-size hole through a wall in your house. She then proceeded to call the boys and have them explain the situation.

I found this story interesting when I heard it because I could remember back to when my younger sister and I would fight, and I think if we had sheetrock walls, we could have possibly done just as much damage to my mother’s house.

We had solid wood walls, however, and found that most of the time our bodies would receive the damage. When accidents like this happen it is instinct to want to huff, puff and yell your way into the night as you let your kids know exactly how upset you are at them for remodeling without asking you first.

It may be best to give out punishments at least a few hours after seeing the mess for the first time, because you never know just how you are going to react. You might even be surprised when you don’t get mad because you wanted to do something different with that wall any way.

Note: Ashley McCartney is a news writer for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.