Cry Uncle

I'm a busy person.  I don't like to sit still for long.  Even when I'm "watching TV" I'm usually doing something else (working on my grocery list, knitting, working on my to do list for the next day, etc).  It's the way I've been as far back as I can remember.  My moto since I got my first job at 15 has always been, "I'd rather be busy than bored," and I stick by that because being busy helps the time pass by more quickly. 

But there is such a thing as too busy.  This evening after finally getting my kids to bed way later than I intended, I realized I still had so many things to do in preparation for the next 2 days, that I finally cried uncle and had hubby help me with a few things.  Under normal circumstances these things would be pretty simple (trash, cat care, dishes, etc) but here it is and it's almost 1am and I finally wrapped up the rest of list of prep items for tomorrow (minus a treadmill workout that I can hopefully squeeze in tomorrow).  If it weren't for his help, I'd either have starved the cats, let the dishes get crusty and hard to wash tomorrow, had rotting food in our trash can for an extra few days, or been up till 2 or so getting these things done.

Crying Uncle is a good thing.  Perhaps I should have done it sooner and given him a bigger list so I could have been in bed before midnight... Lesson learned for next time (I'm sure there will be a next time).

Now to get to bed so I can get up bright and early (for me) so I can enjoy endure have another busy day tomorrow.

I've Been Schooled

I admit it.  My work schedule has made it difficult for me to be as consistent as I should be when it comes to chores and my kids.  It's kind of ironic really.  Getting my kids to do their chores means I have less work to do around the house, so you think I'd prefer that to doing it all myself.  For some reason though, I found I've just been letting it slide.  Not only has it been getting on my last nerve, but hubby wasn't all that happy about it either.

So a couple days ago hubby and I had a talk (with each other) and the next day we presented our unified front on what our expectations are for the kids and their chores.  Yes, I'm having to spend a little more time making sure they get things done correctly, however I know in the long-run it will make my life easier and it will also make them more prepared for adulthood.

Oh, and I learned something... all those times I was showing my kids how to do things and they were telling me they couldn't do it... they were pulling my leg.  Not only could they do the parts I thought they should have been able to do, they are also capable of doing stuff that I figured was too hard for them. 

I think it's safe to say, I was not giving my kids the credit they deserve.  No more!  My kids are smart, strong, and capable of whatever they put their mind to.

A New Normal

My kids have been watching WAY too much TV and have been whining and giving me 'tude.  I think they are related, so I've decided to do something about it.  I have a couple of friends who've been using a system called Accountable Kids for a while, with pretty good success.  I'd gotten the basics on how the system works from them and even found the companies quick start information on You Tube.  I fell in love and decided to buy it.  (I even found one kit on ebay for less than half price, so score one for me!)

Accountable Kids recommends instituting their system in 4 stages.  We started stage one yesterday and I must say it's been eye opening.  Each day the kids are responsible for a set of chores (simple things like brush teeth, get dressed, etc).  Upon completion they receive tickets.  Those tickets can be redeemed for things I'm trying to limit their time on (like TV time) or other things I think will help motivate them (like time playing games with Mommy).  They've been doing great doing their chores.  Those tickets are quite the incentive.  The most surprising thing is that neither of them has used their tickets to watch TV.  Instead they've been interested in playing games with me.

This has been a good and bad thing.  They have been TV free for over 24 hours now (good).  It's also meant I've been able to spend more time with my kids (also good), but it's also meant I've spent less time getting other things done that I've been needing to do (there is no laundry fairy so that's bad).  I'm hopeful that things will soon stabalize and I will not be requested quite so much.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the fact that my kids are enjoying the "new" responsibilities they have as well as the responsible choices they are making.  I can't wait to see how step 2 goes.