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Right now, my 7, 9 and 10 year olds are hoping for me to take them to the pool today (florida). They have already gotten up too early, screamed incessantly or screaming constantly and doing naughty should not do things. Forget about chores. Every Saturday that is a battle. When I hollar they stop listening the minute they hear the tone and it does not help. When DH is home *not here on the weekends, he works of course, he just looks with a steel gray look and goes and does his crossword puzzle in the other room. And then, I am the bad guy for hollaring.
So, what do I do? I am giving them limits. Already 2 infractions and 2 more and they go with Daddy to the pool *if he decides to let them go which he will. And I get rest this afternoon. They get an allowance. Don't do school work, talk back, be naughty, well that gets cut back, and so does computer time, TV time, etc. depending on the infraction. So, believe me it is not perfect around here but getting better. On the flip side, if they do 50% better which is on a good day, allowance gets better, chances to go to a park next week get better. As on report card, well that helps. But in the end, if mommy ain't happy, nobody happy, so even DH will comply by the end of the day. Sorry such a long note, but I am with you. Nothing is 100%, but every day we work on it and every day, their conscience builds, if that is any consolation. PS: I learn to deal with a 90% neat room from them, and I do the rest, but at least it has gotten to 90% but they do take til the end of the weekend usually and after daddy gets onto them when mommy has had it. |
Oh, believe me, I am with you. My sympathies. - MTmom
