My 13 year old daughter has been working very hard on a social studies project that is due next week. She spent the past few days creating her own, mini-encyclopedia and I must say that it has turned out really well.
Except for the dedication page.
The saddest part of this whole thing? I don’t even know who Billy Burke is.
My ten year old son has always suffered with developmental delays; you name it, he did it late. He pretty much survived off of baby food until he was four. ‘Nuff said.
Lately he’s been lying a lot. Actually, “a lot” doesn’t do it justice. Even though we have a rule in our house that you won’t get in trouble as long as you are honest, he has been tossing untruths around like they have wings. I am hoping this is a developmentally-delayed phase and not something we’ll have to deal with much longer.
I should stress that these lies are usually about nothing. Like, absolutely nothing. For instance:
Me: What was that noise?
Him: Well, I think I heard something…
Me: Just tell me the truth. What was the noise?
Him: Okay. I bounced a ball.
I finally grew completely weary of his games last night and he is entering his second full day of no video games, computer or television. As we sat at the dinner table I explained that we will tolerate a lot in this house, but dishonesty is not one of them; then I detailed his punishment.
When I finished I gave him a good, hard glare as if to ask, “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?”
And, he understood exactly what I was saying with that look because he replied, “I think it would be easier if I just went to live with a family of liars.”
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned that Tyson® Any’tizers® has a School Year Survival Guide on Facebook? Well, I’ve been taking it very seriously. Amid the many family, school, sports and church activities – we are SURVIVING!
After doing an internet search for tools to increase productivity and studying the many options, I’ve realized that the most important part of getting through the school year is taking care of … ME.
That’s right. Call me selfish, but I know that if I’m not functioning well, no one in my house is functioning well. I’m actually the type of person who shuts down when I’m overwhelmed and then I get nothing done. Don’t be jealous.
Obviously, this doesn’t bode well for my family. Sometimes that means no one looked over their homework and other times it means they have to dig their dirty uniform from the laundry pile. When things get really bad, I might even forget that my daughter is serving Thanksgiving mass until 15 minutes before she’s supposed to be there and then we run around like crazy people trying to put on acceptable clothing and pull half-baked pumpkin pies from the oven so we can leave the house without it burning down.
Hypothetically.
My point is, that Tyson® Any’tizers® School Year Survival Guide is right on the money because one entire section is dedicated to “Rejuvenation Tips for Mom and Dad.” The four tips listed there are the exact things I need to do to keep myself and, therefore, my family running smoothly.
1. Make time for yourself. Go to dinner with a friend, curl up in your bed with a good book, take a photography class.
2. Get moving. Nothing reduces my stress level like exercise. Nothing.
3. Write it out. Put your feelings (or your to-do list) down on paper. I like to say that it gets my brain unjumbled.
4. Get out of the office. I work from home, which is technically like getting out of TWO offices. Don’t underestimate the benefit of a quick walk around the block.
More than anything, know that sometimes it’s impossible to do it all. Give yourself a break. Your family will thank you for it.
Follow
Email
Follow