The hammer has fallen.
And my kids don’t like it.
Not one little bit.
But it was a do or die situation. I mean, my kids have only been out of school for one week, and I can already feel myself drowning in a sea of bickering, whining and what they too-commonly refer to as ‘boredom’.
Soooo, out came the chore book. And the dry erase board with the ‘three strikes and you’re out’ chart. And a schedule for meals and snacks. I’m headed to the Dollar Store this weekend to fill up the box of junk box o’ treasures as positive reinforcement for helping mommy keep her wits about her in this soon-to-be too hot summer season.
I got so motivated by y’alls ideas in response to a post a few weeks back, I just knew I’d eventually implement them. Eventually.
For a gal who is as disorganized and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants as you can get, this whole effort is pretty darn ugly. My effort is half-hearted at best, as organizing is so not my gift.
But my room was dusted and vacuumed yesterday. And the wooden floors were mopped. And the trash was collected and thrown out. And best of all? Not by me.
And, amazingly, there were a few kids that didn’t complain about being ‘bored’ yesterday.
Is that a tiny hint of light at the end of the tunnel I spy? I sure hope so. With eight kids in the house, at least six of them able-bodied enough to actually pitch in around here, I’m crazy enough to have hope. And I’m determined to hang in there this time. I’ve got to.
My sanity depends on it.
Finding things to do for bored children is one of my specialties. *insert evil laugh now*
Actually, I like it when my kids tell me they're bored…it means they now have to use their imagination instead of being entertained by someone or something. In our fast paced world, boredom is a luxury. And, like you, I love assigning chores. The more kids in the house, the less I seem to have to do!! 🙂
LOL, I am so glad you posted this! I was just thinking last night about emailing you to find out how encourage your children to just get it done! Although, we're trying to get rid of the "box of treasures" stuff they've received from school! Thanks for being so real!
You poor thing! My two bicker and argue too and it could seriously drive this mama to drink. Hang in there!
If it (any chore) doesn't get done, then it just wasn't meant to be.
I'm encouraged to get back into a better work schedule with the children! Thanks for sharing.
Go, Stef, go!! lol! Kiara's not even out of school yet & I'm already making a chore list for her!! She has no idea what's coming her way to keep her from getting bored!! (is that wrong? If it's wrong, I don't wanna be right! lol!)
hang in there!!
XOXO
Patricia
oh my gosh! Thanks for the hints. We have been out a little longer and the bickering and whining are pushing me to the edge! We have limited tv and computer time and music practice and reading time. They all add up to a whopping 4 hours. Did I mention we just moved and the only kid we have found is 1 1/2. umm yea. We drove 45 minutes to pick up Isaac's buddy today. Can you say desperate?!! Hang in there. Maybe we can have a blogging moms retreat in Sept!! Sheri
My husband always says, "A kid who says he's bored is a kid who wants to rake leaves." (or wash baseboards, or scrub doorknobs….)
Hang in there!!
So glad to hear I'm not the only one who's had to come down on the youngens. Today we cleaned out our lockers and went through our drawers to see what doesn't fit anymore, they groaned a bit but got the job done.
I have found that getting them doing stuff in the morning is easier than in the afternoon after a 'morning off' – and after chores then they've 'earned' the 'right' to go play….
hugs – aus and co.
My kids have been out of school for almost a month, and they are driving me CrAzy.
Let me know if your method works because I may have to try it.
I am breathing a sigh of relief that I am not the only one! 🙂 I lowered the boom on my kids last night, too. And my house is relatively clean now. haha I usually don't carry through for very long so I am praying that I can keep this newly implemented program going for more than 3 days. 🙂
Love TM's comment!!! BWHAAAA!! I have had the boredom bug around here to! Gotta find the cure – and fast!
Been on Bloggy hiatus for a while due to a new job and a little vacation fun….missed your blog and your humor…oh, that humor!
So glad to see the hammer has fallen…just wondering if the troops are conspiring against their dear old mom…lulling you into a false sense of security until…BLAMMO…..
oh, boy…how DO you do it?
You are my hero!
xoxoo
Dita