My monkeys pushed the envelope this weekend and we had to take drastic measures. They left me with a pile of laundry and a stack of dirty dishes that took four hours to clean up. Then they got into a fight. What we had on our hands was privileged boy syndrome because mama has always done the lions share of the work. Manly is not a mess maker. I am sometimes. With my less than stellar housekeeping skills (I once used a rake to clean up their bedroom floor), having me do it all is not going to work.
I restructured the work load and now I don't do the daily dishes or their laundry. Baby Monkey now has to sweep the floors, natural sweep the two rugs and take out the trash. Tonight my house is clean and tidy and I didn't do any of it.
They are not little anymore. They need to learn how to take care of their own space. I don't want my future daughters-in-law to have to wait on them and I am not going to do it anymore.
Housekeeping wasn't really a problem until I went back to work. Even part-time work cuts into housekeeping and gardening time. I am willing to give up the housework, but not the gardening.
They each have a job to do and they better do it or they won't get dinner until it is done, period.
Mama is finished.
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Big hugs as I made that decision when my kids were about the age of yours too. I had to go back to work also and it was too much. They eventually got use to it and we settled in to routines. They hated to wash sheets for some reason and put it low on the list. Their room would start to smell like dirty socks. Add to that the soccer uniforms and you've got Ewwwww! I feel you pain of working and trying to meet all the demands.
ReplyDeleteEvery person in a household should pick up after themselves. Every kid should pitch in with family chores. Don't feel guilty!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan to me - go Debbi Go!
ReplyDeleteNB Looks like your feed in Blotanical's not working - I think there's an item in the News section on what needs to be done to get you back in there again.
Go for it Debbi! Thank heavens OFB does the dishes, sweeps the floors, walks the dog, and even makes the bed around here. When it comes to housework, divide and conquer is the only hope!---Silence
ReplyDeleteGood on you Deb. Kids need to learn to do for themselves. I am endeavouring to achieve this with my last two here, and going nowhere fast, although Em now cleans up after cooking something. Baby steps.
ReplyDeleteAnna, now I have a disgusting urge to go smell their rooms. ewwww.
ReplyDeleteMonica. I don't feel guilty, just a little foolish that I didn't do it earlier.
VP, I checked the feed thing tonight. I seem to be a website instead of a feed. When did that happen?
Silence, I've laid down the law. Hopefully, they will be just like OFB and do their share when they are out on their own.
Trish, One day soon, they will piss you off, and they too will have to do housework.
Debbi, Bravo! The days of Super Mom are over. YOur boys may fuss and fume a little, but will learn that feeling of helping is a great feeling. Just hang tough. :)
ReplyDeletebeckie, I've never, ever been called a super mom. So far, they are just glad I didn't take away all their electronic toys.
ReplyDelete