Mom on Strike Series - Part 3: An Experiment Revisited

Over the last couple of months, life has seemingly progressed forward with the Mom on Strike series. The mess from the kids has been revamped and revamped again without much success on the home front.

Mom on Strike Series – Part 3: An Experiment Revisited

We have tried invoicing for my cleaning services, stripped everything from their rooms, tried the Kids Daily Checklist (PDF). While some of these ideas work for a few days, the truth is that it’s not completely sinking in with these boys! WHY KIDS?!?! WHY!?!?!

Most days I’m surprised I still have a head of hair after this mom strike. Then I begin to think about what I’m asking them to do on a daily basis and it makes me want to scream that they can’t seem to follow simple instructions. The other thing I’m surprised to have after going on my mom strike is my sanity! I still have OCD and let me tell you, if something doesn’t look right to me, it will be moved or fixed until it is perfect. Well at least in my eyes it’s perfect!

I have been trying to take a step back and realize that they are only kids that are still learning. Instead, I remember that all I can do is try my hardest to teach them the way of the land. I know (in my heart) that they will eventually grow up and learn that a home should be neat and tidy for visitors to drop by at a moment’s notice. The extent of their cleaning abilities will be perfected over the years and this is something that I need to let go…or ease up on for now.

Their rooms have actually been “not that bad,” but we are still struggling with bathroom issues. It boggles my mind that they can’t seem to keep their clothes off the floor at bath time. I mean…they strip their clothes off for a shower, but can’t drop them into the laundry basket that is RIGHT THERE! Come on kids! The laundry basket is 2 feet away…what gives?!?!

Some days I wonder if all of this is payback since I didn’t have the cleanest room in town growing up. I guess the saying my mom always told me is true, ”one day you will have kids that are just like you.” NOOOOO! I may not survive!