Janet told her husband it would be an issue, but would he listen? Never had, never will, she thought. Bill insisted on building Martin his own sound recording studio, complete with lights, cameras, and AI-generated back-up singers. But when Martin entered the studio, he didn’t see a chance at fame or success; he saw a chance to tell his mother exactly what he thought about the dinner she was making tonight. Martin hated broccoli so much that by the time he was done screaming at her, his throat hurt too much to even eat the ice cream for dessert. Well, Janet rethought her first impression. If Martin could scream once, then be quiet for the rest of the day, maybe it was worth it!
©2026 CBialczak
Stine Writing 
Hah! Does the same apply to drumming?! My kids are keen on that.
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Fits the photo!
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Poor Janet! My sons both tried to yell at me and Sparky nipped it in the bud. He rarely raised his voice so when he did it made an impact. They were told in no uncertain terms that they were NEVER to disrespect me by talking back, sassing, or yelling at me! And that was that. If it had happened again Sparky would probably have broken his no spanking rule….. Martin needs to be set straight!!!!
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Yes, when my kids were little there was always an understanding about respect. When there is that, spanking isn’t often even a thought!
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Exactly! I was brought up in the late 1950s and 1960s – spanking was the go to punishment. I was lucky that spanking for me was an open hand on my backside and rarely more than 2 swats. A friend was in fear of her father’s belt!
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We always got threatened with the belt but I don’t remember it. I barely remember getting spanked. Luckily, like you seem to be saying, my mother wasn’t into actually causing pain…I don’t think! 😳
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I was a good child. My sister really knew how to push my mother’s buttons! My mother broke a hair brush over her behind once…
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Good take.
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