Day 1
Here is the latest report from the picket lines at the home of S.D. Gates.
Things are grim. There has been little to no progress in negotiations. This may be because the group being demonstrated against is unaware of the strike as they never read my blog. In fact, from where I stand, things have fallen into total chaos.
Please be forewarned the following photos are of a graphic nature, and for most mothers/fathers will cause total frustration and contempt.
The half-empty water bottles are proliferating.
The pre-strike kitchen countertop (which was tidy and clean) has become increasingly littered with discarded debris.
Items have been thrown willy-nilly across the furniture of the living room and family room (even the dogs are aghast).
And the bathroom countertops are littered with dropped items.
The kitchen sink is filled with used utensils and plates (Images too horrific to display).
There has been no attempt by family members to put their laundry that was folded before the strike away.
I fear this will get worse before it gets better.
There was a glimmer of hope last night when my oldest decided to fold the throw blanket up and return it to its place at the end of the chaise. But that hope dissipated when he left several water bottles on the kitchen counter and clothes on the living room sectional.
I hope I can stay strong, but the disarray in our house is messing with my determination.
Until next time, this is S.D. Gates reporting from the picket line (of one) at her house.
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Categories: Children, Family, Modern Living
I think you need to harden your resolution at this point. Threaten to bring in scab labour to take the place of all children at which point the originals will be out of work and out of house leaving you to ensure the scab labour act in a perfect manner and don’t start behaving like the original children.
You’ll need to practice saying “Go and never darken my doorstep again” in time to be hard hearted for Christmas.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Hang in there!!!! I’m pulling for you!
Thank you.
Lol. I understand your pain!
Thanks Kathy!!!!!
ROTFLMAO!
Almost like Dan Rather reporting from Vietnam!
I have seen standoff’s where people began drinking beverages from bowls!
Anything to avoid washing a glass!
War is hell!
It is almost like a battle zone in our house, especially the laundry room. AARGH!
Here’s some unasked for advice. I hope you don’t mind. I’m not a mom, so you can just toss this if you think I’m one of those idiot childless people who know nothing about parenting. However, I AM a daughter who took advantage of a mom much like what is happening to you. My mom did something similar as you’re doing, except she told me she was going to do it. She didn’t get mad, she just told me that I was old enough to do things for myself now. She showed me how to do the things … like my own laundry, how to clean MY bathroom (that she didn’t use), how to dust and straighten. I can tell you that I was NOT happy. I literally believed it was her duty to do those things for me as my mom, even after I graduated H.S. But, once I got the hang of doing things on my own, I started doing a pretty darn good job of taking care of my own things. Now, I don’t know if a son will be different than a daughter, but I thought I’d share my experience. Perhaps if you tell them without anger that you won’t be doing those things anymore and that they’re old enough …. tell them if they have any questions on how to do it or whatever they can ask … and then just stick to your guns. It worked on me.
Hi Lori, thank-you for the advice, I do appreciate it very much, but I have tried announcing I am striking – it seems to work for a day or two and then everyone slips back into business as usual. I think the males of my family do not notice the things I do, or see the mess I see, and therefore do not feel any action on their part is required. I think also part of the problem is I am a complete neat freak, and so I have tried to relax my standards, go with the flow, but tidiness is ingrained into my being. Problem is, my husband is probably the biggest offender, he just doesn’t share the same sense of cleanliness I do, and in this case I am afraid, what they say about teaching an old dog new tricks might be right. Hope all is well with you!!!!!
Hi SD! So glad to hear from you again. Alas, many men can truly be slobs. When my mom taught me how to clean, I was pissed I had to do it, but I did. Perhaps as a woman who also likes things clean, I eventually got the hang of it. But yes, I’m a neat-freak too. I can see what you mean that they just don’t see the same mess you do. Sigh. Hugs. Hope you enjoy your holiday season.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season as well!!!! Looks like you had some snow Keep warm!!!!
We’re getting sheets of snow as I type.
Oh boy – I bet it is beautiful. All we have here is piles of soggy leaves.
This made me laugh. Love this post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hang tough! I feel for you I really do! A mom’s job and wife’s at that is SO taken for granted that even a simple thank you would go a long way. I keep telling hubby I am not his servant or maid and to do for himself. I’m too mortified to show pics of what he does, like hangs clothes over doors, on stairs, piling with no organization whatsoever books and papers and God knows what in our study to the point I refuse to go in that room or clean it other then vacuuming. I wish you all the very best. A woman’s status in the home is the most taken for granted of all. BIG (((HUGS))) from me! <3
Oh, I so agree with you!!!!!!
Just an update, the strike had some positive effects, which have dissipated rather quickly, and we are now right back where we started. I did actually see someone sweeping the hall yesterday, it was getting rather furry from all the puppy hair, but I refused to do anything about it. I guess he got fed up with it and decided to do something. I think the thing that drives me the craziest is the water bottles, left around, and the little stacks of debris left on the tables, and kitchen counter. I do not do well with disarray. It puts me in a really bad mood. I will push forward and strive for change. Thanks for the encouraging words of wisdom!!!