Self-Discipline?

Aliyah has been having a little bit of a problem lately controlling her frustration when she cannot have my immediate attention. If it becomes apparent to her that her mantra of "Mom!Mom!Mom!Mom!Mom!........" while tugging on my pants is getting her nowhere, she puts on her meanest meanie face and whallops the nearest part of me. This of course is unacceptable behavior and gets her put in lock-down in her room until she is ready to talk to me about why we dont hit (ever!).

Well, the other day I was occupied on the phone and Aliyah was once again determinedly trying to talk to me and "hold me" while I finished up the conversation. With a stern "No" I turned her about and gently pushed her in the direction of her toys. Well, that was about all she could handle apparently because she walked back over to me with her "angry eyebrows" face and said "Mom, I'm going to time out ok?", whacked me on the leg, and then walked over and plopped herself down in the time-out chair. I stared stunned for a moment, and then hid myself in the kitchen while I giggled. After a few minutes, she came over with a big smile on her face, hugged my leg, said "I'm sorry Mom!" and skipped back out again.

Here's what gets me: She obviously thought this course of action through. She thought "Man, I'd really like to give her what-for, but then I have to go to time out........Hmmm.....Yep. Definately worth it." I mean, at least she is willing to take responsibility for her actions but seriously, this girl is either going to be a genius or a felon. Either way I'm in for quite a time so I guess I'll brace myself for both......