Pinkie Promise

Never before did I realize the power of a pinkie promise.

"Tpherson, I really really need to you to focus in class.  You need to stop leaving your desk and do what I've asked you to do.  Can you do that for me please?"
It's a speech I've made multiple times.  I held little hope that it will be any more effective than it was the other times I gave it.
"Ok teacher, I'll do better.  Can we pinkie promise so that I'll do better this afternoon?"
"Sure."
Our pinkies locked in agreement, and we headed back inside.  That afternoon saw a not perfect but fairly diligent note copier who only left his desk a few times.
"Hey teacher, can we pinkie promise again before I leave so that I can do good again tomorrow?"
"That sounds wonderful!  Let's do that!"
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday

Where did this student who does his work come from?  Each time he got distracted it just took my pinkies locked in the air waved meaningfully in his direction to elicit an "oh yeah!" as he headed back to his work.

Maybe it won't last until the end of the year.  But I'll be holding on to pinkie promises for as long as I can.