Problem/Solution

Having smart kids apparently means that even though I have every safety/sanity measure in place, they will still find a way around it.

i.e.

problem: kids make a mess of their closet and scatter every article of clothing around the house with their constant outfit-changing.
sanity measure: lock on the closet door.
solution: kids go through the dirty clothes hamper!

problem: kids want to go swimming in the middle of the winter.
sanity measure: I say "no" and go back to bed.
solution: kids make their own swimming pool on the kitchen floor with aid from the water-dispenser on the fridge.

problem: kids want unlimited access to glue - this should be a no-brainer as to why that's not a good idea.
sanity measure: glue is under lock and key and on the tip-top shelf in the closet.
solution: kids use applesauce in place of glue.

problem: kids want to chew gum. Ha!
sanity measure: I'm not giving my kids gum until they're old enough to pay for a salon to cut it out of their hair or a professional cleaner to get it out of my carpet.
solution: kids get gum from another source, like the park bench or sidewalk.

problem: kids have run out of the paper ration I have given them for the day and still want to cut out more stuff.
sanity measure: I now keep all papers in my "office/closet" which now has doors and a lock.
solution: kids use the papers Daddy unwittingly left on the counter - nothing important, just the proof of insurance for the friend's car we are borrowing.