I started working full time this fall.  That has created some huge changes for me and my family.  I just can’t do all the things I used to do.  Reality is slowly setting in for both me and the kids.

I have had to lower my expectations of what I can reasonably do in a day.  There have been many a day this fall when I flop into bed exhausted and defeated.  I am just not physically able to keep up the pace. 

I have also had to expect more from my kids.  We have always had chores.  But now, I have to depend even more on the kids to do their chores and to do them when they say they are going to do them.  For example, a domino effect is created if the dishes don’t get put away by breakfast.  I used to be there to fill in, but now I am no longer the safety net.  If the dishes don’t get put away, the dishes don’t get put in the dishwasher.  If the dishes don’t get put in the dishwasher, the person on dish duty the following evening is unfairly burdened and the complaints ensue.  There are several areas of the house that one’s lack of attention effects everyone and we have had to talk about it.

We have had to rely on the Family Meeting on a regular basis to address issues like this one.  We tried having it on Sunday evenings but Monday’s homework seemed to always be a conflict.  We have now resorted to having a small meeting at the dinner table on Sunday nights to go over the calendar of the coming week.  Any night is appropriate to bring up issues like dish duty and the effects of our behavior on the rest of the family.  We try to keep it positive and it has really worked well for us.  It is a good time to give the family a pep talk and talk about how our family needs to work together as a team.  Communication is crucial for a great business to succeed and it is crucial for a great family as well!


Sandra Forbes is a professional organizer and coach, speaker and writer on home management .  She is a mother of seven children ages ranging from 1 to 18.  She shares organizing tips and insights on her website Forbesorganizing.com

Feel free to comment below:

Please be charitable in your comments

Leave your comment