Surviving
Today marks the third day of summer vacation for my kids - that is the third day without holidays or special circumstances as their last day of school was actually last week. Day one was a fiasco for me. The kids had a great time but it was basically friends and playmates all day that ended in some less than stellar decisions; including throwing mud in the pool *grrrr*, attempts and skinny dipping and messing with the pool pump which really freaked mom and dad out. While these things weren’t the fault of our kids, it was a result of their friends and their actions and led for many discussions and new ground rules. *sigh* Day two went to the opposite extreme with no friends accompanied by plenty of whining (despite my new sign) and fighting. So today I started the day different with a brainstorming session on rules and consequences and calendaring out our plans and activities. It’s been a better day and I’m hoping to keep things rolling. I even scored getting in some math and problem solving with some creative games this morning. Go mom! So there’s hope that I’ll survive this summer.
Speaking of hope, there is a need for much of it for a loved one right now. This past weekend my son’s birthmother was stricken with Sepsis and she is currently battling for her life in ICU on a ventilator and dialysis machine. All that can be done is being done and the roller coaster ride is wild. She is having hours that are good and hours that are bad. This was so unexpected and so our hearts and prayers are full for her and her family right now.
Life can turn on a dime. I suppose that’s the good thing to remember on all those other manic and survival days.
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At least summer won’t last too long! The kids don’t get out of school here until almost mid-june and they go back in late August. Kids will be kids. At least yours were behaving. But friends can still have a big impact on what can go wrong. Hopefully, your kids have learned not to be too trustworthy and that the actions of their friends can still get them into trouble. Guilt by association.
Thank you for the comment you made on my last post. You’re right. I wish I could do more.
So true, summers are always too short in the long run.
Comment by Vicky — May 30, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Ah, I see the whining sign didn’t work and your kids also have a few annoying friends.
Sorry to hear about your son’s birthmother. I really hope she recovers soon.
Oh yes, no superhero perfect kids at my house. Thanks for the well wishes too.
Comment by Daddy Forever — May 30, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
I hope your son’s birthmother has improved greatly since you posted this Holly. I am so sorry to hear that.
I am a little afraid of the long, hot summer.
Miss A will stay in daycare this summer, but Miss C is going to have a lot of down time and that concerns me a bit. After spending a week with both girls having a lot of “together” time, I realize that they can really quarrel!
p.s. I find it really frustrating sometimes dealing with other people’s kids who come over to play at our house. Sigh…
We started calendaring at my house and it’s helping a great deal!
Comment by Jamie — May 31, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about his birth mom’s medical situation. Sending prayers and positive thoughts.
As for summer vacation, good luck! I find it so hard to keep the kids entertained and still be able to get things done around the house. LOL!
I hear ya! And so does my laundry! Thanks for the prayers and thoughts.
Comment by kailani — May 31, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
Your sign is darling. Maybe when they whine they get an extra job to do, you could post a list of jobs that are whine jobs and they whine they have earned a job. Or after they have gone for 30 minutes, 1 hour (whatever time you set up) they earn a treat of your choice, maybe the next time they whine they have a free pass so they don’t have to do a job.
I hope your son’s birth mother is much improved.
Great ideas!
Comment by marilyn — June 2, 2008 @ 7:17 am