Winter Break Coping Skills

This is how I cope with two weeks off of school.

The week before Christmas I toted them off to my parents' house where life is more exciting and loving grown-ups more readily available than at home. Now, for the week after Christmas, our project is regaining control of ourselves. I think some families can do that in a day or two. We need a week.

Since we are in the eight o'clock hour, the boys are playing on their own. They are in the playroom sumo wrestling with pillows stuffed up their shirts and taunting each other with potty words.

**********

The chalkboard is painted on the wall in our kitchen. I was a little uncertain about whether I would like it but I LOVE IT. Sam is not fond of surprises so posting the day's plans or the dinner menu helps him feel more calm. Sometimes.

We also have their school calendar and classroom schedules for art/music/library posted under the chalkboard, so that wall is a general reference point for questions about what day it is and how long until... and are my library books due today? One of these days they will understand how to figure that out on their own.