The last couple of weeks have been especially hard around our house. Actually, they’ve been hard on me. I’m not so sure the boys have taken much notice.
So, as a manner of therapy for me, here is a wish list I would like to hand to my boys (the baby girl is off the hook for now, as she is the only one not giving me attitude lately).
If only they could read. Or follow directions. Here goes.
Boys, please:
- Get up quietly and leave me alone until 7am. Better yet, since this is a wish list, make that 7:30am. It’s really not asking for too much.
- Let me sleep all night. I do not want to be bothered at 3am with runny noses, and a need for a hug. That is what daylight is for. Did you know your baby sister hasn’t bothered me in the middle of the night for months now? You could learn something from her.
- Please put your toys away when you’re done playing with them. Leaving the downstairs looking like Katrina is no longer cool.
- Listen to each other respectfully. Grabbing, yelling, hitting, and pushing only work in bar fights.
- When I read you a story, kiss you goodnight, and tuck you in, go to sleep. This new routine of getting up to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, climbing on the bunk bed and traipsing down the stairs to flash a silly grin has added 10 gray hairs to my head and shortened my life by approximately 2.3 hours.
- When you’re sitting at the table for a meal (that I lovingly prepared, ensuring it is healthy and nutritious), finish your food before getting down. And, while you’re at it, ask permission to be excused, take your dishes to the counter, and wipe your mouth and hands before leaving the kitchen. Not everyone appreciates the vibrant color of grape jelly against the muted color of the sofa as much as you do.
- When I ask you to get in the car, I do not mean climb in the front seat, readjust the rear-view mirror, turn on the defroster, and throw the garage door opener on the floor. Do I unknowingly speak in foreign tongues?
- Please leave cabinet doors closed. Tampons are not toys, and yes, when you open them, they all look the same inside.