He Ain't Foolin'

Too bad we planned this upcoming vacation just a week in advance. It's working to my advantage. Being the bad mom that I am, I have no qualms whatsoever holding this above the kids heads and demanding good behavior.

Tonight Luke asked what he could do to help out. How often does that happen? I guess Daddy told them that I was up well past midnight last night sewing, so when I hid myself out in the sewing room this evening the kids took action. They know that I am barely better than a toddler at controlling my temper tantrums when I'm tired. Poor things must really fear me if they're asking for chores. So Luke is sorting clean laundry into individual stacks to put away and apparently two days worth of wash is more than he can handle. (More than I like to handle, too, but what are you going to do?) He came over to the sewing room and said, "The only reason I'm doing laundry is because I want to go on the trip."

At least he's honest.

And in another attempt at getting out of a chore he came over a few minutes later to inform me that "another reason that I'm helping is so that you can get some more sleep tonight." You've no idea how much I appreciated that. But I was struck guilty at the same time. Apparently I'm so bad when I'm tired that the kids are willing to do chores to help me get more sleep.

I'm such a great mom.

19 comments:

Lori said...

just look at it as increasing their life skills!

hope you get some sleep tonight

Pam said...

If it helps any...Ashlyn just told me tonight she is going to wake up daddy to take her potty so I can get some sleep and not be so tired....sounds like you are not the only who is no good when they are tired. We can start a club!

Anonymous said...

Don't feel guilty! We've all resorted to some serious bribes one time or another. And, I'm a raging bitch when I'm sleep deprived, too.

I can't believe I missed so many posts. Mea culpa. And, thanks for the award.

It's totally Toy Story-ish.

Flea said...

My children periodically do nice things, then feel the need to tell me such things. With the older two, the motivation behind those guilt inducing comments would be from love. My Little Guy? All attitude, making sure I know he's ONLY helping because ...

You have a great bunch there. Get some sleep!

The Sports Mama said...

And yet another reason I am so convinced that we are going to get along so extremely well that we will totally lose track of time and you will miss your plane, thereby leaving you here in Arizona. Where you really should be. You know that, right?

We've got lots of wide open spaces here for the animals. Our kids will get along. Heck, even our dogs will be friends! :)

Is it sad that I've begun a mental countdown?

Laski said...

Awe . . . I hear ya about sleep. I feel so grumpy at times. Thankfully J is in his cute I can't walk, talk, or even feed myself yet stage, so he usually gets his way regardless of my moods :)

Unknown said...

My kids will ask me before hand "Are you happy Mommy?" Yea no feelings of guilt there!!

Aimee said...

My kids do the same thing. I just tell them it builds character, so get back to the salt mine.

Maria said...

Hey, we need help sometimes! It's hard to keep up! We're ALL at our worst when we're tired.

Maria (also Bia) said...

Have fun in Arizona next week. We'll be vacationing, too. (We'll be in Florida.)

God bless.

Andrea said...

I am so cranky when I am tired!! Everyone just better watch out!! But some how my kids don't get that yet? Neither does my husband! LOL!! Hope you have a great trip!!!

Burgh Baby said...

If being grumpy is all I need to do to get everybody to pitch in, I'm all over it. You? Are a genius.

Momisodes said...

I'm a total grump too while sleep deprived too. If everyone pitched in while I'm a grouch...this house would be spotless. Luke is such a sweetheart. Got to love his honesty :)

Madame Queen said...

Eh, we're all only human. I screeched at the kids like a fishwife all day yesterday, but today I vowed to do better. You're a great mom and y'all are about to go on a great trip! I'm sooo jealous!

kari and kijsa said...

Sometimes..it is whatever it takes!!!! Have a great trip, and try to rest!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

ALF said...

I say get the help any way you can and don't feel guilty!

caramama said...

Hey, if it gets you help, play it up! And being grumpy when tired doesn't make you a bad mom. It makes you human.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Your kids need to come and have a talk with my kids. Because mine seem to go out of their way to place that last straw on my back when I'm tired. And then I turn into "mean, screamy Mommy" and everyone hates her.

Wineplz said...

wow have you got them trained! kinda jealous! I can only hope to have mine that responsive when I'm exhausted...sure would help if my husband did it in the first place. ;) I totally love how honest Luke is, though...very funny.