Washed uniforms last night and didn't put them in the dryer

[earlgrey]

And dd1 will moan like hell 'cos I haven't got time to freeze them properly.

Any ideas?

Belgo, how did you remember the socks

Oh well, if you want them to rule your life, then thats up to you. I've got to get on, dd (11) forgot to empty the dishwasher last night and I've just told her I'm docking her pocket money unless she does it before school! No problems here

Don't let them control you, you need to control them, if she willnot wear the clothes from the tumble dryer, she goes to school in what she is wearing, if she won't move then she is late for school.

if you let them have this amount of control over you then your life will be hell, show them who is boss!

earl grey - I think these problems are a symptom of problems in other areas of your home life.

good lord-I can't believe the control these girls have over you,you really need to sort it out earlgray.

Earl grey - are you getting any support from your H?

Maureen, I posted this initially somewhat flippantly, as the clothes are in the freezer as I speak, but I really mean every morning is a challenge.

Belgo, I think you're right. Would you be willing to CAT me/let me CAT you if you have any ideas?

gytha, it's not snigger material - although I can see the funny side it's really getting me down.

Yeah I'm sorry, I was being a bit flippant too! Its early and I'm cross with myself for getting drawn into a thread when I should be doing more important things!!

Do you have a significant other at home with you or are you coping with these demands on your own?

EG - you're welcome to CAT me, but I have to work out how to accept CATs first, which I don't have time to do at the moment.

Sincere apologies Earlgrey, I thought you were having a little early morning fun with us.

Have you spoken to anybody about this behaviour? Sounds a little like ocd.

I would try to do something about it now, rather than let it escalate.

Good luck

You need to sit them down tonight and explain to both of them that they will be having room temperature clothing from now on.

And then you need to stick to it - really you do - let them be late, let them make themselves sick if they want to go that far - but clothes stay room temperature.

Come on here while they hiss and roar and we will support you.

(I have a 4 year old who walked to the car from kindy in his bare feet (winter here) because he insisted he didn't know how to put them on.) Funnily enough he has 'remembered' since.

You're don't gona believe this, but I'm having a blazing row about dd's school dress!! Its bloody filthy I say. She says she's not wearing the other one - its too big! See - you are not alone EG! [Maureen shudders again as dd slams another door!]

H (who usually carries them down) is being supportive, if late.

I said to dd1 'sip your tea quickly, we're late today'.

dd1 "Im gonna kill you if you say that to me one more time".

Maureen - thank you big time!!!

Earlgrey - you are raising minidictators. you are the mother, the adult. They are the children. They are being unsufferable. I would never let any of my children talk to me like that. I command/lead and the children follow (generally!). We all have defined roles. I wash the clothes and they wear them - they certainly do not bloody tell me how to do so or that I should freeze them afterwards.

You need to get a book or two on positive, assertive parenting.

They will be teenage tyrants and I bet they are taking all the fun out of parenting/childhood at the moment.

Poor behaviour - assert/warn/punish
good behaviour - praise/use as an positive example/reward (not necessarily material)

I would have a sit down family meeting and discuss all the issues...they are old enough to understand the change of routine..if you explain how and why first it might be easier. It is easy when they are little to slip into these situations..just for a peaceful life but yours are old enough to change now.

:-)

frozen

tell her no way

at what your dd1 said to you

how on earth have you got yourself in this situation?

it would be laughable if it weren't so sad

How about you train them to do the laundry themselves? That way they're welcome to have clothes at their desired temperature, as long as they organise it themselves.

Frankly in this house they can count themselves lucky if the clothes are clean and vaguely fit. Anyone requesting special temperatures or textures would get v. short shrift. And at a 7yo needing you to dress her. My 3yo dd2 dresses herself, though she has a tendency to forget to put knickers on first.

My DS (11) irons his own school clothes and they are responsible for getting clothes into laundry and then putting them away when they are clean. Load dishwasher and do "small" chores as part of being a member of the family not for reward. On occasion when everything has gone wrong in the morning becuase DC are unreasonable and disorganised I let them be late - really late.

Just dry them and don't worry abou freezing them. She will just have to wear her uniform as it comes.