The Naughty

This morning Emma asked me, "Mommy, why do you get angry at me sometimes?"
I explained that I get frustrated when she acts naughty because she knows better.
"Well, I've been trying really really hard not to be naughty," Em replied.
I told her I was glad of that, and encouraged her to keep trying.
"But I can't handle it," Emma lamented. "It's just too much, and sometimes the naughty jumps right out of me."
"Oh really? It just 'jumps right out of you,' huh?"
"Yep," Emma answered. "So see, it's really not my fault, Mommy. Next time, get mad at The Naughty, not at me."