I Just Might Be the Meanest Mom in the World

Today has been my first "get things done" day. I've done laundry and cleaned my bathroom. I've dusted and put things away. My house is in desperate need of some TLC, and it feels good to accomplish something again. I am still sore, but getting better.

In addition to these things, I walked into Kathryn and Melissa's room this morning to find that the clean clothes I'd sent them to get put away several days ago were stuffed in their closet and under their beds. I also found their closet full of church clothes and things that were put there to make their room look clean when they were told to clean up. They've been asked if their clothes were put away and if their room was clean. They told us yes. And from the doorway the room did look clean... but, I learned today that we've been duped. Lied to!!

So I did what I've threatened to do more than once ~ I went to the garage and found one of our very large black trash bags and started loading it with anything and everything that was on the floor or stuffed in the closet. I took everything away but the clothes that have been properly put away in their closet or in their dresser. I left their shoes. I left their books on the bookshelf, but everything else but the beds and the dresser is GONE.

I expected at least a little bit of drama when the girls got home today. Melissa asked me who cleaned her room. I told her I did. She asked where stuff was. I told her it was gone for now. She asked if she still had her Baby Born. I told her not now. And that was it. Kathryn came home not feeling good and took a long nap after school. She saw her room, but I have yet to hear anything from her.

As I took things out, I had to figure out how they might get any of these things back. I decided that they'd be able to earn things back when they showed me they could take care of what they had left. With the laundry I did today, their bins are full of clothes to put away. If they can do that, they might be able to have something.

While Kathryn slept, Melissa went to her room and did her homework. That's something she doesn't usually do. And it has caused me to wonder if the peacefulness in the room from the lack of stuff might just be a wonderful thing. Though we try hard to keep things to just what they really want, maybe there was still too much. This might just be a good chance to pass along quite a bit more than we thought we'd be comfortable with.

We'll see how long it takes for anyone to notice something they think is important is missing. I know I put Kathryn's soccer bag away, and it has her cleats and shin guards in it I think. She'll need that come Friday for practice.

But the overabundance of baby clothes and Build a Bear stuff. The lap harp that we can't keep tuned, and the fourteenth soccer ball pillow.... those might not be so missed, in comparison to a room that right now is very easy to keep clean.

I guess I can handle being the meanest mom in the world. I just hope my kids are better for it.