Hoping for a peaceful day

So today has so far been ok. It has been two and a half hours since I got up and took Mike to work. The kids have started the chores they are supposed to do from their dad's perspective. So, onward and upward. Ash gets ticked so easy and pouts if something doesn't go her way within about five minutes. She couldn't get a lip n lock container open to put in the dishwasher and just cried and cried about it.

I didn't know what to do. So I told her to sit down and count to 10 and cool off. Then try again. She really acts so helpless but really she can do it if she tries. I know this and she does too. She just doesn't want to do something so she doesn't.

DW got up and he has to be reminded to get the other trash cans than the kitchen and to line them. But he is getting better. And he climbed in the shower with the dog this morning too. Now he smells like a wet dog.

I have talked with Mike about my position as a step mom and I think we may be getting somewhere. Eventually.

It is a long haul and not exactly what I planned on doing but I have to learn compromise also.
I am no longer able to continually remind the kids to do their chores I am to give them one reminder. One. THEN supposedly if they don't do what is on their chore list or something important like picking up their dirty clothes ...etc... they aren't supposed be able to participate in the next fun activity. Well, I am using the pool as a babysitting tool. I have another babysitter now and she seems to be really good but I don't want to use her if I don't need her. So I use the pool.

Now I have implemented the new babysitter as a punishment for days they could go to the pool. Mike gave the kids a time frame for getting the chores done. If not finished to my standards in that time frame I call him, report (tattle), and line up the sitter for whoever did not finish their chores.

I'm tired of placating and nagging and feeling like I'm yelling all the time. I need order and don't have a way to find it in this house. So I'm making do.

We will have to see how the rest of the day goes.