A New Idea

After I went upstairs this afternoon to find that instead of taking a nap, Isaac, Camden, and Eli had moved the furniture around, pulled out quite a few books from the study, and shredded the plastic blinds in Eli’s and Isaac’s bedroom; which took us all a good hour or so to clean up, I was feeling pretty frustrated. I didn’t get as mad at the boys as I might have, but I still didn’t feel very happy with them, especially since at first Eli told me that Isaac broke the blinds by himself and only confessed that he and Camden had helped out with the destruction after I questioned him about it later (after I had already put Isaac on time out for making such a mess). Why are little boys so destructive? At least I can see some hope – Kolby rarely does anything like that anymore, and he used to be just the same when he was smaller, so it should get better, right?

Anyways, I called Michael and told him about it, then we all cleaned up, and then I really felt like calling one of my friends here, Kristin, and venting about everything. I almost didn’t call her, since that’s not really the kind of thing I usually do, and I felt a bit silly, but I’m glad I did. I called and asked her how she and her husband seem to be so patient with their three boys and their little girl. And she was so kind – she was very complimentary of how Michael and I do with our kids and she made me feel a lot better, and then she gave me an idea. She said that her sister gave her a suggestion once. She said to get up in the morning in time to have some time to yourself before the kids wake up. And to do something in that time that you enjoy – read your scriptures, read a book, or something. Kristin said that she gets up and goes down to the basement to play her violin (where it won’t wake up the kids). She said that way you are able to get ready and do something you like, and not have to wake up to all of the kids immediately demanding your attention. And you also have something to look forward to when it can get a little frustrating with the kids at times – a time alone to do something enjoyable. So you can be a person, at least for a little while, and not a mom 24-7. Anyways, it sounds like a logical idea. I was thinking as she was telling me that I’d have to get up way too early to get up in time to get anything done before the boys get up, and I don’t know if I can make it through a long day if I get up that early. But I think I’ll give it a try, at least for a little while, and see if it helps at all. So, since the boys have been getting up between 6:00 and 6:30am lately, I’ll try getting up at 5:30 tomorrow morning. I’ll let you know how it works out.