June 12th, 2008
I wish I could sit here and talk about how much we are enjoying summer break. Well, I guess I could say that. But it would be a lie. And I’m all about keepin’ it real.
And keepin’ it real would require me to tell you that I’m about to pull my hair out, strand by strand.
Because there’s some major adjusting going on here… and I mean MAJOR.
For example, I normally start my work day at 7am. Since I don’t have to get the kids off to school at 7, I don’t get up at 6:30. I set the alarm for 8, but that’s not when I get up. It’s a little a lot later.
I’m used to having about 6 hours of quiet so that I can focus. I don’t have that. I have none. And I’m constantly shouting that I’m on the phone (thank God not when I’m on the phone).
I used to have from 9:30pm until whenever I go to bed (1ish) quiet. I don’t have that now. I do believe in letting the kids stay up a little since it’s summer vacation, but last night I instituted a bed time. But it’s two hours later than I’m used to. It was so quiet and I got so much work done that I didn’t get to bed until 3am. No biggie, however, it does mean that my day didn’t start until 10 today.
So we need to adjust.
But what gets me is how much I’m struggling with the kids and moreso with one than the other. I’ll leave you to figure out which one.
I made it perfectly clear that the first full day of summer break would be devoted to cleaning their rooms. And I’m not talking gut cleaning, I’m talking, I would like to be able to see the floor. I don’t ask much.
I also made it perfectly clear that after rooms were clean, they would each have one small project to do each day that would take them no more than 30 minutes, and that these projects would be in an effort to purge their stuff.
I have one that, after a boatload of yelling, finally went in and cleaned the room. That child is no longer grounded and is working on project one… cleaning off one shelf.
I have another child who has done nothing but attempt to wear me down in an effort to revoke the “you’re grounded until your room is clean” punishment. And I mean it has been HORRIBLE. But, every time we get into it, I pray that I have the strength to stand my ground and so far I have. This is tough for me because I’m suck a sucker for a sob story and tears, but I’ve done it. But we’re not making any progress. This child is perfectly content to sit in the room and do nothing instead of cleaning the room.
And as mad as I want to be, I can’t be. Because that’s exactly what I did when I was a child. I don’t care what punishment my parents gave me. I was stubborn. And I didn’t care how much it hurt or bothered me, I would NEVER allow them the satisfaction of knowing that their punishment was working.
Sorry Mom and Dad. I know you’re smiling.
I know that we’ll have a little rocky start. But I so badly want to have a good summer. One where I can work, knock off early and go to the park. There are benefits to working from home and I want to enjoy some of them.
And again, in the throws of summer vacation, I’m still trying to find that balance. I think that I’ve come to realize that I’m ALWAYS going to be working on finding that. And that?
SUCKS!
But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, right?
And that child? WILL CLEAN THAT ROOM BEFORE THIS SUMMER IS OVER.
Because Mama’s had it. 
This is going to be a memorable summer… it’s the summer that mom’s going to grow some balls and make these kids help out around here.
(And I apologize for that term, but hey! Just keepin’ it real.. it’s how I feel…)
I’m tired of being walked on, over, and drug through the mud. I’m not the only one that lives in this house and I’m NOT the only one who’s going to clean.
I am MAMA!! HEAR ME ROAR!!!!
And then ask me how this worked out in 3 months… lol…
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a certain child who just snuck out of the room that is supposed to be cleaned and I need to go attend to that.
Until next time…
Filed under According to Samara, Faith, Manly Man Matthew, Mom Stuff, Thoughts... |
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