The first week of school is hell

This was the first week of school. It was not fun. My kids were irresponsible heathens (okay, they weren't really that bad) and I was super cranky evil villain mom (yes, I was really that bad). Forget to bring me your lunch box when you get home from school, I will shoot fire from my eye balls. Leave your homework in the middle of your bedroom floor, I will incinerate you with my evil glare. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I hated every minute of it.

The first week or two of school is always hell. I have to nag my kids into submission towards responsibility. Well, not all of my kids. The older kids have already been sufficiently nagged and know that 30-minutes long lectures are in store for them if they don't exhibit responsibility for their school work. The little ones still haven't figured it all out. Maybe they still like to be nagged. I don't know. All I know is "remembering" at the last minute that you left your homework crumbled on the floor of your bedroom is NOT the way I like to start the morning. As I say to my children, "That's totally uncool."

I rely heavily on natural consequences. I love them. I find that we live in a society that's really not down with natural consequences. When my children aren't prepared, people assume that I'm overwhelmed. I got a call from a teacher yesterday about homework not being completed. She started with, "I know you've got a lot on your plate with five children......." Whoa. Stop right there. How does parenting five children have ANYTHING to do with my child's choice not to complete his homework? He's given ample time and space. Gentle reminders. A firm understanding of expectations. Opportunity for help if it's too hard. Yet the assumption is I must be overwhelmed because I'm not afraid to allow my children to suffer the consequences of their own choices? (In fairness to her, I think she's used to really defensive parents and was trying to be fair to me.) This assumption happens more often that I'm okay with.

I know that if I continue to maintain my expectations for organization, responsibility, and behavior, in two or three weeks we will be back in a successful routine. Kids are capable little creatures. They learn quickly. We will be joyful soon because we are living up to our best, which gives us time to relax. I often get comments about having a large family and how difficult it must be (which is weird, because I don't consider our family large). It's not difficult when you insist that your child live up to their potential on the simple stuff. When we are at our best, this family is a well oiled machine.

When we are not at our best I threaten my children with the father from the original "Cheaper by the Dozen" movie. "Do you want me to parent like that guy? Don't make me go all old school. I'll do it. Just try me." This usually makes them smile a bit, but they know I'm dead serious. They appreciate that their mother is a complete and total nutbag. 

Dude makes me look reasonable.