When my now-adult son was four, I treated him and some friends to an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheeze's (a kid-oriented pizza parlor and game arcade).

As time approached for us to leave, he pitched a monumental fit, squalling and screaming as I literally dragged him away from the games.

When we arrived home, his Mom asked how he enjoyed the afternoon. Rather shamefacedly, he mumbled, "I don't think that Dad is going to take me there again."

Fastforward to his 21st birthday. As a surprise, I again treated him to a trip to Chuck E.'s (this time with a "giftcard" from the establishment - - accompanied by his girlfriend) and a card telling him that all was forgiven for the hassle some 17 years previous.