He just might be a lawyer someday

Hearkening back to my days in law school, my son, Brandelion, and I had an "argument." You see, about a year ago when he was 4 he just walked out the front door one day. By the time I figured it out, he was across the street and down about 4 houses. After catching up with him and simultaneously sobbing and yelling at him to "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!" I employed AtHomeHubby with the job of installing a lock of some sort on our front door, up high. So, for about a year we have had sort of a sliding lock (like a door chain)....

Long story short, when I got home today AtHomeHubby was in the back of the house with DramaQueen (age 2), and when I tried to open the front door, the latch was keeping it closed, so I couldn't get in. I was just about to call AtHomeHubby's cell phone, when I heard the door unlock. Brandelion had pushed an ottoman over by the door and undone the lock.

Here's the conversation:

Me: Hi ... did you unlock the door?

Brandelion: Yes! (Proud...) I helped you.

Me: Thanks, but what's the rule about opening the door? You're not supposed to do it AT ALL, even for mommy.

Brandelion: But, mom, I didn't open the door - I just helped!

Me: It's the same thing -- don't do it -- it's dangerous.

Brandelion: But I didn't do it, I just helped you do it!

Oh my god - He is splitting hairs just like a lawyer! Next I am going to have to explain accomplice liability - if you help commit a crime it is the same as being the one who committed it!