Mommy Monday: They are doing it!

 Something weird has happened at my house. There has possibly been an invasion of some kind. I'm starting to think these three little people running (and crawling) around my house are not really my children. These children are playing together; willingly,  happily and peacefully. These cannot be my children!

 Recently I've been thinking a lot about one of my older posts from this summer. In it I was talking about How much sacrifice is too much? I have been, once again, very guilty of giving all my time and energy to the kids. If the TV is on, it's tuned in to cartoons. They have been having first dibs on MY meals through the day. Heck there have even been days when I'm not getting a shower until they are in bed for the night.

 Well this last week I decided enough was enough. I mean, I love and adored my children, but I am worth something too!! I have declared one hour each afternoon "mommy time". It's that hour just before dinner prep. It's been really nice having an hour to relax before kicking back into high gear for cooking dinner, cleaning up the kitchen and doing post dinner dishes, homework, bath time and bedtime.

 I have to be honest. It was really a struggle the first few days. Jake wanted to have the TV, but I was watching a show. Then he wanted to play wii, but again, I had the only TV. Next he and Lucy started squabbling and fighting which made it impossible to hear the TV. I stuck it out though! I was determined to have some "me time". I finally sent them off to play in Jake's room. The first day wasn't really relaxing. The next day was a bit better, there was less time squabbling and more time playing happily together. They even went off to play down the hall on their own, with Avary crawling after them. I had peace and quiet!

 Over the next few days they got into a routine. If Jake wants to watch a little TV or play some wii he asks as soon as he gets home. After his snack he has half an hour of wii or TV if he wants it. Then at 4:00 he shuts off the TV and says "common Lu, lets go play!" then off they all go to play together. It's amazing. I'm still a little dumbfounded by the whole thing. I usually have to argue with them to get them to play together, and them playing QUIETLY in another room is basically unheard of.

 If I had of known it was as easy as standing my ground and making them create their own fun without me there to referee I would have done this a long time a go! Don't get me wrong, I still love playing with them and doing different activities with them. They are a lot of fun and since they are only little once I feel like I should be enjoying them and spending this time not just with them, but doing thing with them and making this time count. That said, They do also need the skills to entertain themselves. Not just in the same room as me, but being good, getting along, being responsible and having fun playing in another room, without my constant supervision.

 I know the younger two still need a lot of supervision, but if they are just a few feet down the hall with Jake, I know they are ok. Our home is not that big and I can still hear them when they are down the hall. Having a bit of responsibility and knowing he is the big brother and needs to keep an eye on his sisters has really been good for Jake. It has made him feel important and changed the way he interacts with them a lot. Instead of fighting with them and teasing he is switching to another too cute role. He tries to teach them things, like how to use a toy, or what they are and are not allowed to touch.

  I love watching him grow into his role as a big brother and to see how much he loves his sisters. I think the loving and protecting nature tends to come easier with girls. Lucy  has always been a little mama to Avary, and even to Jake. If you pass her a snack she asks for one for Jakie too. She is always hugging and kissing her brother and sister. Her first instinct is to love, share and play with her siblings. Jake has been different. Maybe because he's a boy, or maybe because he was an only child for three and a half years.

  Either way, I'm very glad to see him interacting in a more positive manner with his sisters. I'm so happy, and proud, that my little ones are playing together so well. It gives this mama some much needed quiet time each day and is a very positive step forward as the kids journey to becoming good, kind, loving adults some day. These small lessons all play such a huge role in molding them into who they will be when they are grown. It's a very big job we parents have!

 Since these three little ones tend to be a little further on their journey to becoming good adults, I think I'll keep them. Even if it turns out they really are someone else's kids posing as mine ;)