Thursday, September 24, 2009

I'm Not The Fun Mom

It's not fun to admit, either.

I'm the one that barks about homework. Normal, you say?

I also bark about dishes (put that in the dishwasher!, don't leave your dishes on the floor!,) getting dressed (just put some on! how hard is it? a tshirt and shorts is sufficient!,) eating (not in the bedrooms!, finish your food!,) and teeth brushing (just do it!, they're still yellow, try again.)

Some things are a given, don't you think? Getting up for school, dinner time, bedtime-the schedule has been the same for years in our house. Do you think that they should change when I'm not here?

OK, maybe on the weekends, but I don't like to bark during the week. Hate it in fact.

Many things have been going so well (dare I say it?) with homework and other schedules. Our afternoons are a dream compared to what we've had for the past few years. The homework is done quickly and the boys typically have most of the afternoon to play. Score!

But I'm still the hard-ass that ruins all the fun. I'm not the crawl-on-the-floor mom, or the tackle-into-the-couch mom, or usually even the dessert mom. I'm the one that ruins all that stuff with Reality! Someone's going to get hurt! Bedtime!

Doesn't someone have to take on that role? I guess if no one else will do it, I have to. That doesn't mean I have to like it, though, right?

Who is the heavy in your house? Do you have any tricks to 'share the burden' now and then?

Headless Mom

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like we're the same type of mom... I actually make it a point to have my husband do homework with my daughter at least once a week so he can experience my pain. And on the weekend, it's up to him to get her up and moving and to clean her room and do all that other fun stuff that I have to deal with during the week.

Anonymous said...

As the only parent in the house....I'm the heavy 100% of the time. I used to give them choices...one would be the "right" choice and one would be so awful that the only choice reasonable enough to make was the right choice! You know....I need you to choose between brushing your teeth again right now or doing all the laundry for the next 2 weeks. Hee hee.

I've also had to make some hard decisions about what is really important and what is just my desire for pretty or organized or whatever. As long as the girls are getting themselves ready to go to school on time...I don't force them to make their beds. I know! Awful, right? But I have made my decisions on what are the critical battles. Then I also make sure that I heavily reward a run of good behavior. For example, if I didn't have to harp on the teeth brushing for an entire week then I let them get their nails done at the salon. I started small....one day...3 days....a week...now they have to really do a good job for an extended amount of time to earn a reward.

Soldier on Mama!

kyooty said...

Sounds like life here, if no one does anything nothing gets done, and I seriously hate being the only one "doing!"My biggest pet peeve is that I'm always saying "DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" or "NOWWWWWW" but it's equally split here, Hubbie while mostly fun will also bark orders.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I've always been the heavy. M grew up with way to many rules, I grew up with none! Rules are important.
I really disliked it when we were divorced. I had to do all the heavy while dad got to come and be the fun guy! Your doing a great job with your kids.

Rocks In The Wash said...

Oh, I'm definitely the "heavy" in the house. All I have to do is count to 3; actually, when I get to 2 the boys are running!

Now that the boys are getting a little older, I can use the Wii as a bribe. They love the Wii, so all I have to do is tell them... "well, if you get your homework done and do your chores.." and they are quick to get things done.

Oh... and I KNOW for a fact you are definitely a fun mom!!!

Anonymous said...

So GLAD I'm not alone!

I'm no fun anymore, either. Sad but true. :(

Steph said...

Medicate me...and I'm pretty sure everything is fine!

Tricks to share the burden? Ha ha!

Man I need a whole day to just WRITE to catch up with you! :)