Unloading

[sjshipper]

I am not quite sure I can do this.

It felt an awful lot like "seriously this is all I can handle" about 12 months ago, so how the next 3-6 months are going to go is beyond my ability to predict.

Comments

[ziparumpazoo]

I felt in charge, and heard "I will work harder to build back your trust" coming from my preschooler on his initiative. So I go to bed happy on that front at least.

Good for you! Just don't forget to build some time for yourself to recharge in there as well.
We were having problems with the older boy with focusing on tasks and disruptive behavior in class this year. I was worried that he would be labelled ADD or a problem child, and we'd tried *everything*, from marble jars for positive re-enforcement, to withholding privileges for bad behavior. Nothing worked, until a friend with an autistic child suggested the routine thing. Now we walk in the door, he cleans the cat litter box, puts his bag away, puts his dishes in the sink, tidies up his room or goes and reads a few books or plays with Lego while I make supper. But he does it every day, in the same order, and with minimal prompting, so even if he's had a bad day at school because of too much excitement or conflict with another kid, he knows that when he walks in the door, the expectations are going to be exactly the same regardless, and surprisingly, it has also helped at school too. It doesn't fix everything, but it has helped us keep a bit more sanity as a family. I really really hope it helps you too. :)

And just remember, without customers, there would be no production to supervise, and without customer service, there would be no customers. You play a vital role it making it all work.

[sjshipper]

That is good advice, on all points. Boys are tough, but I think it's worth all the extra work. I've had babyboy start doing more chorse, and I think he's going to catch on we're all part of this together. His increasing perception of household tensions is also motivation to start watching my step where my comments and grousing are concerned!

Hope you have a good weekend!