Summer break

[BIG AL]

My kids are down for summer break and what should be a happy time is driving me crazy.The house is a wreck and I went ot cook dinner and there is not a clean plate in the house.I am fixin to freaK OUT.I want them to enjoy there time here but I am not use to all this.I need a meeting.

[Jay Bee]

What's up Big Al , We may be powerless, but we are not helpless. To keep my shortcoming down , I have to do what I have to do. If my house is out of order , I have to put it in order. I dont know how many time i've have told my 22 yr old KID to pick up her **** , it use to drive me insane. NOW, if i pick it up , I hide it , then sit back and watch her go crazy trying find whatever she looking for. their's a lession in that , the lession is not to leave your **** laying around in MY HOUSE. If you make a mess clean it up , if not I do know a good lock smith for MY LOCKS. Hold on and be strong my brother , LOL to you and yours.

[Mycool]

I've got 7 step kids and 6 grand kids,all within a 10 mile radius. I've given up on dishes and moved to paper plates, its either the environment or me.

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. ~John A. Simone, Sr.

[zoomie]

Get into a nightly routeen of having the older kids even the younger kids stack up the dishes to put in the dishwasher. BTU I too use paper plates too. They have paper bows out there for cerial too. My husband I and both take care of the dishes because we do not own a dishwasher,but the kids bring the dishes to us when we use dishes. My ex husband and I share custody of the kids. My house is neat while his is dirty. I try to pick up there too but give up sometimes because I just get tired of the big messes. We do not let the kids eat any place but the dining room table or kitchen table unless it's popcorn here at my house. For my youngest it's a spill proof cup ( he is 7). Don't lose your cool, just talk to the kids and help them pick up. Kid's overwhelm themselves with messes,so to avoid them kicking the stuff under the bed, I help out. Just remember your kids are there for such a short while and you want good memories.

[BIG AL]

I do want good memeories zoomie.I am taking the wife to breakfast this morning and getting a breather.I have been on a long night scheduale that also makes me cranky so I need to just chill and remmeber I havent had alot of sleep.Its not them its me.I did get them a pool and they have been swimming they love it.One of those 4ft deep bt 18ft wide they are having a blast.

[dmarie]

Swimming is great for them...tires them out and is the best form of exercise all around. :-) I think just having them there is an adjustment in itself, but it will all pass. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with the kids I do a gratitude list and it helps me focus off of the **** and back onto the good stuff! I put things like seeing them smile, hearing them giggle or talk about such innocent little things from a childs perspective. I miss those times with my son (he's 19). Trust me it's going to go by so fast so try to enjoy them while you can and don't forget to breath! I hope you have a relaxing breakfast.

[sioux]

Sounds like you are learning the valuable lesson of taking a breather! Kids, if I let them, can dominate my very being. Breakfast away, locking the bedroom door for an hour with that certain special someone (bring iced tea please), getting to a meeting, things like that. A lot of my life has been lived by the hour, and it's okay. You only have them for the summer, and I bet they are going to have some good memories. Keep your cool, stay close to sponsor, Creator, look for the small stuff because it in fact does matter.

Congrats on being a dedicated dad. They will remember the quality of time you spent with them; the pool will live on forever.