Tonight the family is around the TV, enjoying the summer return of Wipeout. Which got me thinking: There aren’t a lot of TV we can all watch together as a family that isn’t animated. (And there are lots of animation that isn’t kid-friendly, which just stuns me.)

What happened to sitcoms episodes that could in turn be used to teach a life lesson or as a catalyst for awkward conversations?

I mean who didn’t learn the value of a dollar from the episode where the Cosby’s create a real-world scenario to teach Theo a lesson about the real world? I especially remember a touching Family Ties episode where Alex couldn’t relax at night because he was too anxious about what the future would hold for him. 

I can’t think of any shows that currently helps us parents. Oh wait, I just thought of The Middle. I do like that show. I feel like the main character a lot of the time. In fact my brain is beginning to shut down right now. Of course maybe it’s all the senseless TV I’m watching.

Here’s a lined page template I created in Word. Just thought I’d share.

Lined Page Template

Enjoy!

Let’s focus on the positives:

1. I got some things crossed off my to-do list today.
2. Jumpshot doesn’t need to get shots until August, so I can put off that ordeal for a little while.
3. Diva made her own craft today.
4. I got to take a nap today.
5. My husband and I are going to get a weekend getaway this summer.
6. I cooked supper, and the kids liked it.
7. My children didn’t try to kill each other today although I did catch Diva chasing Jumpshot and the neighborhood boys with a tree branch that was bigger than she is.
8. Manchild delighted getting licked in the face by our neighbor’s dog.
9. I got some girl time in with my next-door neighbor.

Not a bad day.

Share some of your positives!

My first day home with all three kids. You’d think it would be like a Saturday or Sunday. But today had a different feel to it. We didn’t do anything, but it’s not like we do anything on the weekends anyway. Why was today so different?

It was nothing but a stream of demands and fighting all day. Add to that personal frustrations, and I was just a frazzled mess.

Then poor Dad, who’s been at work all day, comes home to a frazzled wife and a pack of wild kids. Add to that his personal frustrations, and another parental meltdown ensues.

So what to do?

We left the kids inside and sat outside to catch our breath. We made each other laugh. First he made me laugh because he’s funny, then I made him laugh because I think I’m funny. Then we decided to gather the kids in the car to get take-out and let me run in the store to get a few necessities.

We came home, ate, worked a little on our summer business project (more on that to come), get the kids to take a bath, and get them to bed. Of course we had to end the day with an injury. Manchild conked his nose on the bookshelf in his room. No blood, but there will be a bruise.

I got a hot shower, and now I’m here enjoying the sweet snoring sounds from the room next door and venting to you.

I think my mistake was that I didn’t have a plan, but I have one for tomorrow. Let’s hope it goes better.

I’m off the next few days to relax and get the kids ready for camp next week. Our little Manchild will join his brother and sister for the first time this year. And so this brings me to my interesting delimma.

The camp is now a peanut-free zone. All Manchild will eat is peanut butter and jelly, nuggets, and pizza. Therefore packing his lunch will be quite a challenge. We’re going to try almond butter and see if he likes it.

My only hope is that when he goes to camp and school, he might decide to try new things. He’s missing out on so much!