The Yellow Paper Tablet

On Saturday Mornings, we kids would go down the stairs to face the yellow paper tablet. My dad always made a list of chores that we had to do no questions asked on the famous tablet. Some were inside chores; some were outside chores. Some were more desirable; some were crappy. (for example: picking up St. Bernard dog dung) My sister and I have sworn off yellow legal tablets. We only use white.

We knew get the list done, ask for an inspection and then you can go on your merry way.

My kids have regular chores and we have a revolving chore list called the next list. This way we don't have to keep track of whose turn it is to empty trash etc. It seems to work well and we've had to make some courtesy rules such as if the next person isn't home that we skip and go back.

Lately, the kids are so focused on getting to their friends that they get resentful when there are extra chores.

This past Saturday, I woke up early and bought my dad and I coffee from Dunkin'Donuts and went to have a chat with him.

I left the kids a list on a bright orange piece of paper. (not yellow) Each kid had to do their assigned bathroom chores, clean up room, come up with the laundry plan on who get the machine first, and two out of the ordinary extra chores were added to the list. I said I'd be back to inspect and then they could have the rest of the day to themselves. How fair is that? I should have no arguments (because I'm at my dad's), they have the choice of how fast they want to work, and all should go real smooth. Boy, I'm I smart-- I thought.

I got home about an hour after they all were up and some kiddos felt they were done. Of course my inspections were not matching what they felt was quality. "A" got upset because I didn't think toothpaste on the mirror was acceptable even if it was only one drop.

I left and then heard crying. "Knock of the crying", I yelled. He replied, "No Mom, come here it is an emergency." He tried to use his muscle to get the spot off and the mirror (68 by 42 inches) cracked. Anger of course had nothing to do with it.

Two hours of telephone calls and Internet searches later, A and I went shopping. Two hours of pure shopping frustration led to the decision that we are not going to get to replace this mirror easily or cheaply.

We finally found a framed mirror 62 inches by 38 inches that will look good on the wall above the sinks. Now we get to paint and hang the mirror.

Maybe it was the orange paper. Somehow the list idea didn't turn out quite the way I imagined. I'm going out to buy a yellow tablet tonight.