If no one tells you to wipe your bottom after you go to the bathroom, does that mean you don’t do it?
I was exasperated.
It’s the same morning routine around here day after day, year after year, and yet my kids will still stare at me like they have no idea what I’m asking them to do when I question why they’re sitting on the couch, doing absolutely nothing instead of getting themselves ready for school.
It’s all RIGHT THERE. Why is it so hard?
They told me of course they do that.
Well, everything else should be habit, too.
There are moments when I get really fed up and think: if I didn’t do it, or remind someone else to do it, would it (whatever that it is) get done? When I’m ready to yell WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO…..?
Getting dressed and out the door for school on time, along with all things needed for the day, lunches and sports equipment included.
Papers signed and turned in.
Homework completed.
Trash taken to the curb on the right night.
Dirty clothes put in the hamper or the washing machine instead of dropped on the floor wherever they’re taken off.
Drop off/pick up at activities on the right day and times.
Making sure everyone eats.
And has clean socks.
And bathes.
And goes to sleep at a semi-decent hour.
It’s all little stuff that doesn’t seem like much until you add it all up and then it’s enough to make me one fed up mom.
Would it really not get done? Would my family then be late or miss everything because no one is reminding them of where to be when? Would they have no clean clothes, would the trash just pile up by the house, would anything get done?
Some of it is my job as a parent in this house. But not all of it.
And I’ve realized it is actually my fault.
For letting everything fall on me, for not giving away the responsibilities that other family members are more than capable of handling.
I’m not going on strike or anything that dramatic.
But I am going to stop doing what other people in this house are perfectly capable of doing… I’m even going to stop reminding them to do it, because they all should know better by now. And if they don’t, maybe they’ll figure it out after they’re late or miss out on something they really want to do.