No matter how trivial the issue at hand may be, my utmost attention is generally required. For instance, the constant bickering over petty things never seems to end. Who will watch what on TV? Should this even matter, for goodness sake, we have three televisions. Who sits here? Who plays there? Honestly, who really cares? Somebody is always hitting this one while another is teasing that one. There is the frequent name-calling, which might consist of moron, dummy, or stupid. These are, however, only a few since many of the other names would make a sailor blush. Quite often I find myself amazed by their ability to create such elaborate words while at the same time they seem to be lacking such simple behaviours like self-discipline, manners, or common sense. Walk into my house and you are sure to hear, "Mom, she hit Me." or "I'm telling!" Everyday there is someone accused of taking something; yet, upon my inspection, the item in question is usually just overlooked and sitting right under their noses.
Chores are another aspect in my home that often get overlooked by these five hooligans as well. Naturally, most all day-to-day tasks fall on me if anything is actually going to get done. Laundry is always fun. With three girls forever changing clothes, I am never short of items to wash; and the two boys, well let's just say they really enjoy mud. Trying to persuade any of my joyous children to pitch in occasionally is pretty much a joke. How hard could it be to pick something up and put it back where it belongs? Of course, when there's some money involved, everybody is open to helping out. What the kids do not seem to realize is the fact that if I could afford to pay someone to help with the household chores, I would have hired a maid a long time ago. This brings up another issue; it costs to run all of them back and forth, especially with the price of gas today. From doctor and dentist appointments to ball games, after-school activities, and sleepovers, my mini van is continually on the road.
Patience is something not yet achieved by any of my children. Before they go outside after school, all homework must be completed; however, none of them wants to wait for his or her turn. Instead, each of them will read aloud at the same time. Since I am normally the only person available during these hours, there is no possible way for me to listen to or help all of them at once. When supper nears, I hear a lot of "What are we having?" and "Is it done yet?" As if it makes any difference, they will not sit still long enough to eat it. Depending on whether or not the blessed varmints actually lie down at night, I might be able to get into bed at a decent hour. More often than not, this rarely happens as planned. There is sure to be the sudden outbursts of thirst, which are, always followed by, endless bathroom breaks.
I desperately long for the moment when I can finally sit down and relax, hopefully, with my sanity intact. The stress I receive is overwhelming and continuous, but my responsibility as a parent keeps me going. Even though there have been times when I have felt like running away to a deserted island, I thrive on trying to make sense and order out of this chaos. No matter how minor the problem or stressful the job, these are my kids, and I would not have it any other way
