ORDER IN THE.... um, anywhere will do!

Last semester things were insane. I gained a lot academically while completely losing control over my house.

Can't really call that a win.

So I've been trying to figure out a plan to get the kids organized while also getting them started on chores to help me out around the house (that's right, aside from feeding the cats, they haven't been doing much around here). I didn't realize chores were going to prompt so much debate, but it has. We parent units have proposed everything along the chore scale from rigid chore schedules to "well, we'll just make them do stuff when it comes up." The kids loved the spider web wheel where they were able to flick the spider and do whatever chore it landed on in the web (but that took up too much space and ultimately failed as well).

I was really vying for a "earn minutes on your gaming device" program where each chore would earn them 10-15 minutes playing their favorite game, but for some reason that one wasn't widely accepted (ok, it never made it past suggestion because someone felt like games should be fun, not earned).

Anyway, today we finally have mutual approval on a plan. The kids get a separate Weekly Chore that they are in charge of all week. They also have daily tasks to do (make the bed, play piano, pick up after themselves,  take turns feeding the cats). No penalties, no benefits... just do it. Why? Because they are old enough and they need to help out around the house.

So I go and explain these rules to the kids and give them their duties. The brief explanation goes like this:

"You have daily chores and weekly chores [already explained this, will save you a repeat]. This week M, you will unload the dishwasher any time it's clean. I'll load it again, but you need to make sure it's empty and put away. P, you will unload the dryer and bring the hampers into the laundry room so I can sort laundry and get it started. You're now dismissed to go get started on your chore."

So Miss M, the smarty pants that she is, gets started on her chore and decides to ask a stupid question. YES I believe there are stupid questions. "So.... mama.... do yooouuuu and daddy get any chores?"

And at this point I considered obliterating every video game she has.

Um, sweet child. Did you miss half the directions ?(Likely, they don't listen to half of what I say). You're only doing half the job.

And besides, sweet, oldest, should-be-smarter-than-this daughter - Mommy does chores EVERY day. Not some days. EVERY DAY. In fact and especially every day since you've been born. You're lucky I don't invoke chores retroactively.

Despite the lapse in judgement, both kids did their chores and I have been able to start a new load of dishes and a new load of laundry. Hopefully this plan will stick and more things will be done and maintained on time. I'm looking at about 10 classes until graduation and that's not including the extra stuff I keep picking up along the way; also excluding time consuming home repairs like the ridiculous hole under our driveway (a story for another day). I need order like I need caffeine and I'm not going to make it through the rest of this degree without either.

If I come up with any great plan, you'll hear about it. Until then, I'm finding I don't even have the time to plan a plan. I've got some stuff to finish before classes start August 13. Wish me luck!