Long day

Today was a long one. The niece and nephew are back. I provide daycare for them for my sister. Of course, many would say that it is a fairly easy and desirable job. In some ways it is. I am paid to care for them in the morning before the bus arrives, and after school until their Mom retrieves them. I also keep them when school is not in session while their Moms is. Not a bad deal, really. However, the effect they have on our household and the influence they have over my 2 yr and 4 yr old is overwhelming at times.

Currently, I am so tired of the tattling and the constant refrain of "You're lying!" It has to stop! My four yr old has started saying it to every one...all the time! ...and then there is the lying...about the littlest, most insignificant things, as well as the bigger things. I have been so fortunate to not have to deal with this sort of behavior on any kind of larger scale with my own children, only to have these two around to teach it to my youngest two children. I have tried so many different approaches to deal with it, and am at a loss. Nothing seems to work on these kids.

They are exhausting! Yes, my own four kids can be exhausting, but it is somehow on a different level. In a matter of just a few hours time, I find myself spent and out of energy and the enthusiasm that my own children deserve once the niece and nephew have left. Something has to give...probably me, as I have put up with so much for so long. I hate to do it, on one hand, but my children deserve better. The niece and nephew may have to go elsewhere for daycare....

The Daddy told me not to work for family.........I hate to admit it, but he is right!

The kids are finally all sleeping! I don't know how he does it, but D will keep himself awake by talking and singing. He will be really quiet for so long, and then you hear him talking again...eyes closed and still seemingly asleep. C fought it pretty hard tonight too. He needed a drink, lost his blankie, needed to tell me what D was doing, and wanted to talk about all of the songs they sing at school. B doesn't want to sleep in her own bed as of late...Mommy and Daddy's bed, C's bed, D's bed,...anywhere but her own. Of course, she is still very tired when it is time to get up and ready for school as a result. Then again, she never has been a morning person. Who am I to say anything...she gets it from me! A is about the only one sticking to her bedtime time and routine. We are going to have to tweak the system a bit...the bedtime battles are tiring me out!

Of course, it might be nice for the Daddy to pitch in a bit more in this area...when he is home. He was home tonight, but when he goes to bed and his head hits the pillow, he.is.out! I don't know how he sleeps through the chaos of the back and forth, out of bed traffic...the fighting...crying...begging...excuses.........
I shouldn't complain, though. Before you know it, they will be older and I will wish for some of the chaos back....Hard to believe, but probably true! And I must admit, the Daddy does work some long and tiring hours for us to enjoy this chaos! Thank you, Dear Husband!

As C says, "Mommy, tomorrow is a brand new day!"
Yes it is, little man...yes it is!