School is out

Well, we did it!

The kids and I survived the first full week of no school. I am actually pretty happy with the way things went. When I was talking with Brian on Friday (he had been out of town all week for training), I told him,I thought things went pretty well.

We managed to maintain the house and not let it get out of control with toys,clothes, and coloring pages/art projects everywhere. I feel this was a HUGE accomplishment,because, in the past when I would stay home with the kids for a day from work during summer vacation, the house would look like a tornado had attacked the inside of the house.

Looking back now I realize why.

When I was home with the kids for a day (from work) I would feel guilty for not spending much time with them, and didn't want to spend the one day I had taken off cleaning all day. So I would let it (everything) go, just to give the kids the attention I felt like the deserved. Looking back I now realize what I did was a really bad thing. I didn't hold them accountable for their actions. I should have been making them clean as they went, but, they were having so much fun, and I didn't want to spoil that with making them clean. I now know "quality" time with my children just means being available to them whenever they need me, and yes "quality time" can be done while cleaning, because it is teaching them valuable life lessons. Such as how to keeps things (most anything) picked up and tidy, will last them well into their adult lives. Cooking: again a valuable lesson to learn, they will use this too all their lives.

So, this summer I have vowed to make sure they know how to take care of themselves. Libby and Justin are getting old enough now, they can start doing some of the minor cooking in the house, and why not? they LOVE to bake with me, so why not start teaching them now, while they enjoy doing such things? They also love making their own grilled cheese sandwich and scrambled eggs, Yes I do believe it is time, for the kids to start doing more in the house.

This summer I have a few things planned that I would really like to accomplish before the end of the summer. One of my projects is cleaning out all un-needed or not used items, and trying to get this small storage challenged house of our organized once and for all. YES! I did say this summer. Again, it is a project I have put off way to long, because, again, I didn't want to spend the little time I had with the kids cleaning all the time. Well, living in a small house that has very few closets, and practically no storage can prove to be a bit of a challenge. So, that is my summer project with the kiddos! I'll let you know how it goes :)

All in all, as I said, it was a great week, the kids really pitched in when I asked them too, and I now know, it's ok to make them "work" and it is actually good for them. We have started something new, I have a whiteboard, to which I am writing their daily chores on. So when they get done with one, they can move to the next and not have to ask me, and I don't have to nag them. At this point I am going to let them do their  chores anytime they want to, as long as they are done before bed. On days like today, when they have something special they want to do, I note on the board when the chores need to be completed by to be able to do what they want to. So far this morning it has gone VERY well. Libby is already done with her chores, Justin is working on his, and I have to help Faith with hers.

So there you have it!
Wish us luck!