Real Life....

Well, this week we are returning to real life. After a summer filled with trips, summer camp, play dates, theatre,...it's time to get back to real life. We don't start school for another week but I knew that I should get a head start on getting back into a routine with chores and a little structure. To say that it has been a rough week is a huge understatement. For one thing, change is never easy for Joe and he will fight it like there's no tomorrow. He has had lots of screaming fits this week and honestly, I've been less than patient. Maybe I should have waited until my PMS had passed before taking this on, but what's done is done and the worst is behind us. There were actually no fits today from Joe when it came time to do chores. He still wasn't happy and wanted me to walk him through what he needed to do and complained the whole time but I'll take complaining over screaming any day of the week. The girls have adjusted much more smoothly, I can't complain. The other area though that all three kids have struggled with this week is entertaining themselves and getting along with each other. When my kids spend too much time away from home being entertained by others they seem to forget what to do with free time. Hannah and Grace have both told me this week that reading is boring--that's about the worst thing you can say to someone like me who is never without a book nearby. Yeah, it's been a rough week. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Already, I am seeing improvement and a settling in of sorts. We aren't "there" yet but getting there. I am hoping for a smoother week next week--kids will be more used to routine and settled back in to life at home I hope and momma will hopefully be more hormonally balanced.
Back to chores--I am very happy with our chore system. I am using the same thing I did last year--there is a paper in every room and there are daily chores to be done in each room and then each day there is one or two added chores. I need to update the bedroom list and make a playroom list and add a couple of things to the other lists but all the thinking I put into this system last summer is paying off--it still works! I made a few changes--Joe has more chores this year. He had it easy last year, he was only responsible for cleaning up under the table and the foyer. I've added the little bathroom (much to his dismay) and the playroom to his list. The girls have swapped bathroom and kitchen. Hannah now does the bathroom and Grace has taken over the kitchen. All in all I am happy with it. My house is happy too--it's staying mostly picked up and clean again.
Well, I must go and make some lunch...
Peace out my friends!