It depends. If I'm leaving for work, and they are crated, I tell them each "Mommy loves you______, be good, I'll see you later"

If I'm running to the store, I tell them where I'm going, and what for, "Mommy has to run to Target--I need some wrapping paper, tissues, windex, and a magazine"

If my husband is home when I leave, it's "Be good for daddy, mommy loves you_____"

And, in the rare even that they are all out of the crates, it's "BEHAVE--Abbey, you're in charge!!!""


I go overboard I suppose.