Growing Independence

  I live in a house with kids and a husband.  Many of you know sometimes things wait for us to do them and sometimes we eagerly delegate things for others to do.  Although we all know we should have just done it ourselves.

  Pulling out dishes with food on it, grease in the cracks or unidentifiable substances.

  I should have just washed them myself!

3 bottles of cooking oil, 6 packages of bacon on sale, potato chips and milk on a grocery run.

I should have just done it myself!

  My last child is growing up and I have to be ready regardless.

 He's growing up and he doesn't need me as much anymore.

He is buttoning his own clothes.

Zips up his own jackets.

Brushes his teeth more eagerly thanks to his new Spinbrush! 

Thankfully he still needs me for little things and I'll hold on to that.

Is this right?

He is not only my last but, the 4th and the 

only boy!  

He holds a special place in my heart partly because I hold a special place in his.

  It's all about cherishing the memories.  Appreciate the time you were helpful and look towards the future for the new opportunities.

Date 4

  Let's keep this calm and slowly approach the real dating.  We have time for that later.  Right now we are focusing on where we can go, who we can go with and what we can do.

  So each day this month we are taking time to make a little time for you (me), us!  Making time for not just us but our spouse, friend and kids.  Dating can be with anyone, anywhere.

  Today take it easy and take a trip to the library.  I suggest this because I haven't gone to the library for myself.  I always get distracted and get books for my kids.  So this trip is for us!  I personally am getting a book but, you can pick up videos (cheaper than redbox) audio book or a magazine!

  Maybe you can even squeeze in a bath with bubbles, candles and a couple chapters of a your book.  Sound nice?!  I am not sure I can push my luck with all that.  I can get close to half hour of me time when my kids take their bath.  It's hard to focus with all the screams and squeals but that's some valuable time.

  So get to reading.  Kindle is fine too, I'll let that slide but pick up something for you!  Post your pictures and let me see what you got!

Share The Duties Reduce The Stress

  I am slowly learning to share the chores.  I guess some would call it delegate but sharing sounds so much nice.  I have accepted that sharing the load helps my children in many areas of their future.  If they do not learn now and with me then when and where will they learn?  One day and be it sooner or later they will have to keep their home organized and slightly clean.  They will need to learn to keep their dishes clean for sanitary reasons and cooking will be so much better if they are able to make a variety of items. 

  My kids have different chores not necessarily based on their age and abilities but based on the need and their capabilities.  I must note that my younger ones are much more eager to complete a job probably no surprise there but I do try to utilize their eagerness to keep that excitement going.  Maybe they will continue to be people pleasers unlike their older siblings whom find it harder to be a people pleaser.  My older ones have more chores and some are daily and some just on the weekends.  It is amazing to me to see how full their schedule is or how full their mental capacity is not allowing their brains to remember what they are supposed to do.  It is funny sometimes when I remind an older child to feed the dog one of the babies step up and to feed him first; even getting mad at the threat of them heading that way to complete the job.    I am in awe and complete admiration at the little ones desire to help.

  The craving to help out around the house is resulting in the young ones acquiring more chores from the older ones.  The result of this action results in the older ones getting harder chores or more advanced chores.  This circle is helping me because apparently I was too easy on my older kids.  I wasn't challenging them like a good mom/parent should.  Well stay tune sweet innocent, slightly manipulating children  I will help you be more responsible, mature, self sufficient and reliable.  I will teach and show you things you will not learn in school.  I will teach you how to care for your future home, provide for your future family and maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.  I will teach you the good and the bad.  Show you the right way and multiple ways to do a variety of things from cooking, cleaning, organizing and everything in between.  That is my job as your parent!