The Pay Off

You know how as a mother you feel like a broken record? All the times you repeat yourself. I am endlessly saying, “no don’t do that” and then “ok it’s time to do this.” If I had to actually add up every time I said certain phrases I’m sure it would be in the thousands. I receive mean looks in the grocery store when someone sees my 4 year old sitting on the floor in a time out. I don’t care where, who or how come, a stranger may think I’m ridiculous for publicly enforcing rules. By five Big Brother was excellent and no longer needed a hundred reminders just a few here and there. Little brother is almost to that age, I’m so close to having taught what’s appropriate and what is expected of him. Now that my boys are done with school they will be with me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, except when their Totas take them for visits. My mother has already offered what days she can be on call! I am very lucky to have such supportive family, between my parents and in-laws I am never searching for a sitter. They seem to know when my day is hectic and swing in and scoop up the boys.

Yesterday I was finishing up some things at work. All I had left was to vacuum and wipe things down. Everyday the boys are with me and want me to hurry up so we can go home. I asked big brother to go and get the vacuum for me. As I was wiping down everything I thought to myself how long it was taking him to complete what I asked him. When I opened up the door I heard the vacuum going in the other room. Big brother was vacuuming and little brother was busily wiping down surfaces. I stood there for a few moments before they saw me. They both smiled big and said, “there mama you’re almost done now.” I was so proud of them and their helpful hearts. I had a long day, clocked in over eleven hours. I felt awful that they had to wait for me at the end of the day. They were being polite to each other, working together and on a mission to help their mom out. It seems all the hard work they see has given me a day where I witnessed the pay off!