Author’s note. Again, I realize that there are TONS of major events that I haven’t been able to write about yet, but I’m trying. The following post is a pretty good timeline representing the reason why I sometimes get so far behind on all kinds of things…including blog posts.
I often wonder why I am chronically behind on projects and things. Tonight is a prime example why it is not entirely my lack of organizational skills...
7:30pm. We get home. I tell the kids they need to get ready for bed because I need to cook soup for tomorrow. I tell Genevieve that I trust her to be responsible for herself and not need me to explain all the things she needs to do to get ready for bed (she *is* a 5th grader after all!).
7:45pm I am still directing Benjamin to get his PJ’s and pull up on. Autumn and Genevieve have disappeared, and I (mistakenly) assume that they are *actually* getting ready for bed.
8:00pm Benjamin is dressed in his PJ’s (yes, that’s right…it really did take 30 minutes for me to get him to get his PJ’s on while I tried to turn over the laundry and put one load away). I tell Benjamin to brush his teeth. I hear the girls fighting and (shock, gasp) discover that *neither* of them even have their PJ’s on, let alone have brushed their teeth. Redirect the girls and get Benjamin to brush his teeth.
8:15pm Redirect Benjamin to brush his teeth and actually accomplish it this time. Genevieve and Autumn have PJ’s on, but haven’t brushed their teeth. Redirect (with threats) for teeth brushing and get results.
8:30pm Girls are in room. I ask Genevieve to get her money out so that we have it for tomorrow’s shopping trip. Not only can she not find her money, but she *vehemently* accuses Autumn of stealing her money. Autumn maintains her innocence. I try and talk Genevieve through where she might have left her other money and we cannot find that wallet. Meanwhile, Benjamin is clothed and has his teeth brushed. I send him to bed and he pitches a fit because a) I’m not reading him a book and b) Chemo duck doesn’t have any clothes. Put Chemo duck’s clothes on and discover that there is now a HUGE mess on Benjamin’s floor, which had been spotless before we left for dinner. Ignore mess and get the boy put in bed. Tell Genevieve to forget about the money and send both girls to bed.
8:45pm Benjamin pops up multiple times for this, that and the other. I redirect kindly at first and at the 4th or 5th foray, I promptly tell him that I will spank him if he comes out of his room again. He stays in his room, but *loudly* asks me questions. Eventually he falls asleep. I go and check on the girls. They are very much still awake. Genevieve is upset about her missing money. I assure her that tomorrow I will loan her the money for the dress she wants as long as she gives me back the money (*without* complaining!!) when she finds her wallet again. The girls *finally* settle down and are quiet in their rooms.
9:00pm Benjamin is asleep and the girls are at least quiet. I am too afraid to open their door for fear of getting them wound up again. I am now exhausted mentally and physically and have absolutely and completely NO motivation to make the soup that I was planning to take to soup supper tomorrow. I’m actually just leaning toward a BIG margarita and an early bed.
And I wonder why I don’t get anything done. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, if any reader even *attempts* to suggest a better bed time routine, or any other “organizational” strategy, I will likely take you up on it with the proviso that you come to my house and demonstrate said technique as I take exhaustive notes while I’m sipping iced tea and watching the show (ahem…I mean observing the demonstration). Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)
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