Boy things have been changing around here.
It all started when my daughter got her belly-button pierced.
Well, that and when I had my meltdown.
Do you ever do that? Meltdown?
Not pretty. I'm not proud.
They call me the chore nazi. You've heard of the soup nazi? I'm the chore nazi.
Frankly, I'm tired of that label. I don't like being that way, but I want some help dang it.
I had an idea, not my own - more like Fly-Lady's, but I took it.
I can do anything for 30 minutes.
If I can, so can my kiddos.
So, everyday after school for the first 30 minutes, everyone must clean or organize. No excuses.
No tv, no phone, no texting, no video games, no computer, nothing, nada, zip, zilch...
This is when it happened. Thomas decided to clean his bookcase. He asked for my help.
"Mom, I can't fit all my books - it's a mess. Some of my books are baby books."
BABY BOOKS. My heart shattered.
Thomas is a sentimental little guy and won't part with anything.
I convinced him that we could put his books in the attic and it would clear off his shelves and he was all a go.
8 boxes later...
No more "baby books".
I had myself one heck of a good cry.
Until the next day when he decided to start on the closet.
He came down the hall to where I was dusting, carrying in his hand his Thomas the Tank Engine Take-A-Long carrier.
Now, my Thomas played with trains (and little else) since he was 1 and just stopped when he was 8. He still breaks them out once in a great while. His entire world was Thomas the Tank Engine. Not kidding. We even ordered some pieces from England because you could get them here. I tell you this to get you to understand what happened next.
"Mom, could we put this in the attic too?" he said as he held up the carrier.
"Sure, I'll put it with the other boxes" I replied.
So, what was my next move?
I took that big silly piece of plastic, went into the bathroom, clutched it, and had a really good cry.
As if that weren't bad enough, my daughter (after the 30 minutes) ran upstairs to announce that her friend Jamie (who I had never met) was coming over to pick her up so that they could go out.
In a car.
Without parents.
Stick a fork in me. I'm done.
Hubby's response?
Let's have another baby.
(please excuse the absence of photos as my camera is not cooperating at all lately - let's just say that perhaps without photos adds to the drama of the post) LOL
7 comments:
that's a great idea. chore nazi. that's funny.
it only gets better......
mine were like that and they didn't clean out there stuff and half of it is right now left in the basement and I have to make the decision real soon what to do with it because neither (for some reasons) are responding, or speaking to me now. Life changes and people change your kids. Or at least mine did. I still kept what I wanted of it, the papers they drew, some special toys but they are 22 and 24 almost now and I'm letting go of the rest this summer if I get no response by then. It will be hard but life goes on.
Jennifer
what a great idea!!! Issues I haven't had to do yet...and I don't want to...
now...why is that always a guy's response may I ask?
How ironic that I can across your post during my lunchtime blog cruising. My 12-year-old left this morning on a 3-day class trip. I managed to say goodbye without bursting into tears but am sitting here at work thinking it's only a matter of time before she leaves for good, and I'm an old lady living alone with a lot of cats.
Everyday I look at my two sons (14 yrs and 10 yrs) and I am amazed at how much they are growing up. They have a mind of their own...they are healthy...they have dreams and plans. I look at them and think, "wow! I created them!" And then I come to realize that as they grow and mature, they start taking on an identity of their own - they are not "mine" any more is a feeling that overwhelms me and tears are shed. I think that all of us mothers have those moments. That is why the time I have with them...the time they are here in the house with us...is priceless and I cherish every moment. And I know, that when they do leave the nest, I have provided a foundation for them of love and support.
I know what you are feeling and just thought I would let you know that you are doing a great job!
I think that is a great idea, kids need to learn to pick up after themselves, I try and teach my 3 year old that...meltdown, what is that, lol...I think I have one every other week! hang in there, they grow up and we just have to accept it...so sad though huh?
The "30 minute" idea? Awesome. I am SO using this.
Another baby? Joking, right?
Right?
It's so hard to say goodbye to those childhood things.
sigh.
I'm just behind you...thank God I have Gabe to keep me young. I'm looking to you to see how I should react; I'm a cryer, too, you know.
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