Have been really frustrated with the kids lately about their chores, their lack of doing them to be more specific. What I would usually do is remind them of what needs to be done on a daily basis. As time went on, I wrote each (the older two) of them a chore list that went on the fridge (in addition to the daily reminders). Things still were not getting done as they should. I was walking around snapping at the kids and I felt I was always fussing at them about their chores. Ryan and I talked with them about what we expect from them and what will happen if things continued in this way. Finally, I just said - ENOUGH. I am not going to constantly remind the kids about things they already know they should be doing. I am no longer going to be upset and angry about things not getting done. I just need to start showing them there are consequences to their actions (in this case, their non-actions). I came home last week and just refused to fall into the same old routine of fussing at the kids and getting upset. I just went about my day and did the things that needed to be done. I started laundry, so I went into the kids' rooms and gathered their clothes and the pics above are what I found. Normally, this sight would have upset me and I would have been counting down the hours until the kids got home from school to get on them about this. But that day, I said no just do the laundry and get it done. I cleaned their bathroom, unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned/picked up the playroom, etc. When the kids got home from school, I greeted them as I normally do, asked about their day at school, homework, etc. Cam was the first to notice that the upstairs bathroom was clean, their closets were empty of clothes, and that the playroom had been picked up. He came into my room where I was watching tv and I could tell he was feeling me out to see if I was upset or not. I asked him what was up and he told me that I was an awesome mom and that he appreciated everything I did/do for the them(yadda, yadda, yadda). I told him thank you. He went downstairs and said something to his sister because she came up and asked if I was mad about anything. I told her no, I wasn't. Needless to say, they absolutely knew that something was up because they were VERY attentive and helpful for the rest of the day. Had a talk with Ryan about it, told him everything that happened and that I was done talking about the kids not doing their chores, that it was about time to show them consequences. He agreed and from that moment on things changed. The next day Ryenn asked if she could go over her friends house to do homework and I told her no. I did not explain why nor did she ask. The same with Cameron, he asked could he go over his buddies house and I too told him no. There comes a point where you just get tired of trying to help keep your kids out of trouble. I do not enjoy punishing my kids, but when they are not getting the message, I have to make it clear to them. When your parents ask you to do something, we expect you to do it. When you do not do what is expected, I cannot let you do the things that you want to do. The world does not work that way. You just cannot go around only doing the things you like and want to do. Did I mention that I love my kids? Whew... I feel better now. :-)
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