Responsibility. Get It.

I have this nasty little habit of staying up way past my bedtime. And I then have the nerve to yell at the kids about doing that very same thing. The problem started soon after marriage, 16 years ago. I am a morning person. Up and at 'em is my motto. My husband is not. At all. So in a grand effort to please everyone, I am up with the roosters, and bed down somewhere around midnight. I've been sleep deprived for so long that I don't know what normal looks like anymore.

But the last few days have knocked me out. It's taken me a while, but I have finally realized that I must have allergies. Being as I didn't ever have allergies before, you'll understand why it's taken so long for me to self-diagnose. The sinus pressure is not so fun - my apologies to all those out there who go through this on a regular basis. So anyway, the sinus pressure has me ready to call it a day by 6 PM. I manage to hold on and struggle through the pain and fog until Micah's bedtime at 8/9ish (hey, it's summer) and then join him in slumber. Not intentionally, but I just sort of fall prey to the Sand Man without wanting to.

This has posed many problems.

Upon waking the next morning, I am finding dogs who have not been locked up (thank goodness there was nothing eaten), lights on (as in ALL the downstairs lights), and food left laying on the counters.

What the heck, people?! It's common sense to put food away and turn off lights, and our family knows the dog drill by heart. Since Luke goes to bed at a semi-decent hour, this leaves a teenager and a tween in charge. You'd think, wouldn't you, that they would be semi-responsible?

Sigh.

And Sam wonders why I stay up so late on a regular basis. Apparently things don't get done around here if I don't take charge. I should go away for a week, all by myself. Maybe I'd be a little more appreciated when the light bill doubles, all the food is spoiled, and there is no clean laundry.

22 comments:

Leanne said...

You sing it sister! And let me know if leaving them works. I'll do it next if it does.

Unknown said...

One could also hope that the adult male in the house could do a few of those things...be lets be realistic. :)

Karen Deborah said...

same thing happens at my house. it just aint right. somehow other people can and will assume some of these responsibilities. i don't know how much longer I can look at the Riley puppy picture. Please talk about corgis. there must be some reason that Tasha Tudor loved them so much. that is after you get some sleep.

Karen said...

This post makes me feel very spoiled. When my husband is home, he turns lights out, cleans up the kitchen, feeds pets, locks doors and puts kids to bed. My only complaint is that he has to travel for work occasionally. That is when I am reminded how good I have it.

I get sent on a momcation once a year these days. I grab a friend and go somewhere to relax and the RS plays Mr. Mom. I highly recommend it. It is lovely to have no responsibilities for a few days. Imagine the sleep you could get. :)

Keri said...

I'll go with you. Most anywhere, as long as it's not murderous hot.

Karen said...

Utmomof5 - Sam generally puts Micah to bed, then stays upstairs watching TV while I stay downstairs. He's oblivios to what goes on down here or he would take care of it.

Suburban Correspondent said...

Oh, yes - I always end up paying for an early bedtime.

Anonymous said...

Oh boy did this post sound familiar! I love to go to bed early and get up early - but only do so when hubby is not around. Otherwise? I wake to a very similar picture. Let me know if you try this tactic and if you become more appreciated - I am desperate at this point!

Viv said...

Okay, so I spent like a week in the hospital last month. During that time, my extended family cleaned my house, walked my dogs, and took care of my children at their homes. My husband came home three days before I got out of the hospital and was at home for those three days with my oldest and two youngest. I came home to three days worth of pet accidents because Hubby had not changed litter or thought to walk the dogs, sheets on my bed that the baby had an accident on, food on the counter that had been there for 72-24 hours, food on the floor that the cats stole from the counter, and all my husband's dirty laundry from the month he was away...thrown on the floor in the laundry room. When I commented on the state of affairs all I got was, "I'm glad you're home, because the house is really a mess." I was so glad I left the ICU for the comfort of home. *snort*

Andrea said...

Oh, it's the same here at my house!! I left for two weeks and when I came home the dishes I had put in the dishwasher were still there.....but not washed...they were moldy!!! Yes, my husband didn't life a finger while I was gone. What would they do with out us???

I love that center piece!! Love the mason jars and the wire basket!! Cute!!

HalfAsstic.com said...

What kills me is John complaining that it takes me "so long to go to bed".
Well, uh...YEAH! Everything still has to be done when he sashays down the hall to bed. All the dinner put up, the dogs put in the utility room to bed, the doors locked, my make up removed, face washed, and who knows what else. SLOW MY ASS! ;-)

the planet of janet said...

were you looking in the window of my house?????

Anonymous said...

I love the quiet i only get after everyone is in bed... so i end up staying up waaayyyy to late. But i do love the way the super early morning feels on my farm... so quiet, misty, and new.

That being said... i'd pay a bunch to sleep in past 10 and have my coffee and paper in bed without one person yelling "Maaaaaa"...

KG said...

I'm always the last person to bed every night, usually going to bed around midnight. And yes, the sinus pressure? Gah! Makes me crazy. This has been my big annoyance with this pregnancy thus far. I HATE the sinus pressure. As far as leaving stuff out? I wouldn't expect the kids to do it ... I'd expect hubby to do it!

Burgh Baby said...

I'm in the same boat. If I go to bed before a certain male-type figure, I will go downstairs the next morning to find all sorts of random crazy stuff. It. drives. me. nuts.

CanadianMama said...

You should go away for a bit - I think the kids would really miss you :)

Flea said...

Sounds like you and Sam will be having a heart to heart about what goes on in the evenings.

Danyele Easterhaus said...

karen...it all must be in the air...the allergies, the chores not being done and the responsibilities being left by the wayside...i did a "blowup" last friday (on my bday) and well, things are better, but still not great. hhhhmmmphhhh.

Michelle said...

Bad allergies, bad! I hope they go away soon. I have the same kind of issue with being up too late... and with being the only one who does things. The best part is my schoolteacher husband who is home all summer. Whee! ;)

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I feel your pain. I got home last night after going to see Harry Potter with the teen. It was 10:00, the garage door was wide open, bicycle helmet in the yard and I've been informed the 7 yo needs a bath today. Uhm, couldn't you do that last night? Oh, wait, that's my job, too? Well, it's not done yet cause I had to go to work also and if left to her own on showering she'll take 30 minutes! Oh, and when I get home from work today I have to make the teen mow the lawn. Ok, I'll stop.

BTW, what are those plants? They're pretty.

JennyH said...

I hear ya!

BTW, I was thinking 8/9 was rather early for bed. I wish my kids went to bed that early. Another month and hopefully they will be- that is when school starts and all these night owls will be switching to early birds. angry and not so pleasant angry birds, I'm sure.

Shellie said...

I hear ya. loud and clear. We should all go on a retreat or something...