Strike day 2

I am still on strike today.  I am mom only when it is a matter of safety.  No, Robert you can not skip cough medicine tonight...you have a bad cough and can not keep the entire house awake.  I think the kids thought it was really fun last evening to make their own dinners.  However, the house is ridiculous at this point, and Andrew is frustrated.  He understands, but is frustrated.  I, on the other, am thoroughly enjoying myself.  It is amazing how much stress one can shed when one simply refuses to get wrapped up in it.  Andrew was so frustrated last night that he started following them around reminding them to do things.  I chatted with him later that in the long run, he isn't helping things.  Until they start doing their basic chores themselves (making beds, dirty clothes to the laundry, dishes in dishwasher) I am on strike.  And since they aren't doing their basic chores, I am not doing mine either.  Catherine is beginning to make more of an effort, Thomas is slightly better than normal, but Robert is a true teen and is pretty sure he can call my bluff.  Bad news kiddo...not bluffing.  As the oldest, he is the one I am bluffing with the least.  He is MORE than capable of putting his shoes away, getting dirty clothes to the laundry, making his bed, and performing simple daily tasks like throwing his trash away.  And yet, there on the floor of his bedroom this morning was yet another food wrapper.  He isn't even allowed to have food in his bedroom, and I'm finding the wrappers almost daily.  And that folks, is why I'm just done.