Well, I gave the contract to the parents. Mom talked to Becky and told me we had a "misunderstanding" and needed to chat.
Well, we did this morning. Apparently I was the one who misunderstood. I've also been doing things wrong like not putting the towels away in the same direction and "stuffing them in to fit in the closet) . I also don't always put the dishes away (I will admit I run the dishwasher around the time they come home to wash the dinner dishes I cook with too), and she said something about the recyclables (which I just sort the way its laid out in their garage, and I never take it out). There's that and other things she'll list. She didn't elaborate from that. She also said the boys should be doing most of the cleaning. She NEVER made that clear, and she started that initially as a punishment for them. I mentioned this today and she said "Well, that didn't work because they enjoy it! However, I still think the boys feel its punishment if they have to do anything besides pick up their toys or clean their rooms. They tell me no. If I force any issue with the boys, they throw a fit! Plus, if I can't do a good enough job, how can two 5 year old boys do it well enough? One of the boys LOVES folding towels....but they seem anal about it so... I never got it from any of our conversations that she wanted them to do it.
Here's the list she gave me when I started that the boys and I are supposed to do every afternoon, not counting their messes, dishes, and regular stuff.
Monday:
Vacuum living room
Boys downstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Dust and straighten
Tuesday:
Boys upstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Vacuum boys room (I have the boys do this)
Wednesday:
Vacuum den and master bedroom
Dusting and straightening
Thursday:
Boys upstairs bathroom sink, tub, and toilet
Wet mop kitchen and hall
Friday:
Boys downstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Vacuum living room
Dusting and straightening
Should I suck it up? Should I quit? I think its a lot for a 5 year old. One has ADHD, the other has anger management issues. I am frustrated and just don't know anymore...
Well, we did this morning. Apparently I was the one who misunderstood. I've also been doing things wrong like not putting the towels away in the same direction and "stuffing them in to fit in the closet) . I also don't always put the dishes away (I will admit I run the dishwasher around the time they come home to wash the dinner dishes I cook with too), and she said something about the recyclables (which I just sort the way its laid out in their garage, and I never take it out). There's that and other things she'll list. She didn't elaborate from that. She also said the boys should be doing most of the cleaning. She NEVER made that clear, and she started that initially as a punishment for them. I mentioned this today and she said "Well, that didn't work because they enjoy it! However, I still think the boys feel its punishment if they have to do anything besides pick up their toys or clean their rooms. They tell me no. If I force any issue with the boys, they throw a fit! Plus, if I can't do a good enough job, how can two 5 year old boys do it well enough? One of the boys LOVES folding towels....but they seem anal about it so... I never got it from any of our conversations that she wanted them to do it.
Here's the list she gave me when I started that the boys and I are supposed to do every afternoon, not counting their messes, dishes, and regular stuff.
Monday:
Vacuum living room
Boys downstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Dust and straighten
Tuesday:
Boys upstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Vacuum boys room (I have the boys do this)
Wednesday:
Vacuum den and master bedroom
Dusting and straightening
Thursday:
Boys upstairs bathroom sink, tub, and toilet
Wet mop kitchen and hall
Friday:
Boys downstairs bathroom sink and toilet
Vacuum living room
Dusting and straightening
Should I suck it up? Should I quit? I think its a lot for a 5 year old. One has ADHD, the other has anger management issues. I am frustrated and just don't know anymore...