Accountability

Our super-nanny, Lindsay, recently volunteered to take the girls to clean out our car before we headed off on a weekend trip.  I (of course) took her up on the offer, so they headed to the carwash after school one day.

Claire:  "Why do we have to go to the carwash?  It's boring."   
Lindsay:  "Because we're getting the car ready for your trip." 
Claire:  "I heard mom specifically say that you were going to clean the car - not us." 
Lindsay:  "Claire, you need to help because it's important for you to learn accountability." 
Claire:  "What's accountability?" 
Lindsay:  "If you know you will be responsible for the mess you create in the car, then you will probably be more careful in the future.  I'm rarely in your car, so why should I be responsible for all of the cleaning?" 
Claire:  "Okay, I understand now.  So, can you clean the car, and we'll just watch so we know what to do next time? " 
Lindsay:  "Claire, get in the car." 
Claire (muttering):  "Geez, don't you find humor in any of this?"