My five-year-old girls usually have a leisurely bath on weekend mornings. This morning, after breakfast, the girls started playing with their Barbie dolls, while I hung out the washing.

When I came back in from the garden, I announced that it was Bath time, only to be met with a resounding, “Uuugghh!!” The girls were quite happy to be playing with their dolls and were not amused at having to leave them behind to go up for their bath.

Daddy then got impatient:

“C’mon, hurry up, girls! Get undressed for your bath.”

At this point, the petted lips appeared, along with the watery eyes. 10 seconds later came the wails and sobs.

Before Daddy could reissue his command, I exclaimed:

“Right girls, pick a Barbie each and get them undressed for their bath. It’s bath time for the Barbies too!”

The petted lips were immediately replaced by smiles. The tears dried up like puddles in the desert. The wails and sobs were replaced with:

“Yeeaah! That’s a great idea, Mummy!”

Daddy and I breathed a sigh of relief. We had successfully averted a potential full-scale temper tantrum with a little diversion tactic. All FOUR Bathing Belles were dispatched upstairs to the bathroom for their bath. Mission accomplished.