Like a Hamster on a Wheel

Thursday, July 7, 2011
Yea, you know what I'm talking about.

More and more, I end my day feeling like I've just stepped off the wheel and crawled into my bed.

Ever since school has ended, I swear I spend my days doing the same tasks over and over again. The laundry never ends. C'mon, there are 2 adults and 2 kids in this house and enough laundry for 10 people.

I have spent at least 15 minutes per day lecturing the girls on the importance of picking up after themselves so that I don't have to waste MY time doing it. And you know what happens in the minutes before I go upstairs for the night? Yep, you got it. I end up scouring the downstairs for the kids' clutter and removing it from the floors, sofa, chairs, tables, kitchen island.

I kicked off summer vacation by having a meeting where I laid the "ground rules" for summer break. In addition to the task of cleaning up after themselves, the girls were instructed to keep their rooms straightened up so that we didn't need to spend time each morning doing so. Surprise! We are into our 3rd week of summer vacay, and this ground rule has been broken more than once. :(

I'm guessing that most moms feel the way I do. We take 2 steps forward and one step back. But I'm also guessing that there are moms who take 3 steps forward and 3 more steps forward. How do I get to be one of those moms? At what point will I know that my kids are listening and following my directions? Hello?? Is there anyone in there???

Right now, I'm spending 30 minutes in the morning on the treadmill and the remainder of the day spinning on the hamster wheel, and I'm not seeing any results.

Can someone please come take this hamster wheel out of my house? Please? I'll pay you...

1 comment

Rebecca said...

Oh dear! I think it's a losing battle... Lol I feel the same way & I only have 1 kid. Maybe try a chore chart with specific chores- instead of "picking up after themselves" when kids are in charge of a specific area or SPECIFIC task they pride themselves on finishing or accomplishing it. Then maybe set up small reward system- after u inspect their "work" at the end of the day, then they get a sticker & after so many stickers they get something. Sounds like a lot of work, but I betcha I can get that hampster to sit down, relax, and drink some wine :)