'Things really are gonna change around here.'

Today I realised that some of my 7LittleAustralians could be a little better behaved. Not with others... but with me.  There was what some would consider total chaos erupting here by 5pm (though just a meal around here could be considered chaos to some) and there really looked like there was no end in sight. 

After having to speak to 3 girls repetitively I decided (as I often do) that 'things were gonna change around here'. Instead of yelling it in a desperate attempt to actually believe it myself, I decided it quietly and said nothing. I calmly waited for Miss Independent, Miss Thinker and Little Miss to finish throwing the handfuls of mud they had in their hands after I had just said to stop and come inside.

 I waited five minuets, something that is not really acceptable to me. My main rule is when I say something do it (obviously they are also told that if someone tells you to do something that is wrong don't do it no matter who says it. So you can be assured I am not building an army of robots up in here ;p). 

'Get in the bath' I said as they came running through the house covered in mud, giggling shrilly. Seeing that I was not impressed they quietened down till out of my sight in the bathroom and continued to laugh and push each other whilst splashing the water all over the floor. Lately my response to this would be yelling. 'Don't splash water on the floor!' Do I look like I want to clean your mess?' What the hell is wrong with you? e.t.c  e.t.c

Instead I stood there waiting for them to notice me. They did very quickly (possibly because the vibe in the room was  kinda like mums coming and hell's coming with her). Three pairs of eyes looked at me uncertain through the mud. 

'You're all going to bed after you have eaten.' was all I said and walked out. 

The bathroom remained quiet. Meanwhile I went about dinner, a special early one just for them. They came out clean and dressed quietly at first then started to get bolder and louder and than just plain noisy! Once again I resisted the urge to go in all guns blazing in an effort to make more noise then they.

'Dinner is ready girls'

Some time passed before they came out fighting about who was sitting where and who was eating from which plate. When they finished they put their plates in the sink.

'Give me a kiss. Brush your teeth. Go to the toilet and get into bed' I said,

 Miss Independent started sulking and crying, her favorite fall back. Little Miss started to act as though her life could possibly end if forced into bed at that hour.

 Miss Thinker said 'Oh you were serious? I didn't think you really were mum'.

'Very'

'Oooops O.K then'

All three got into bed very quickly, though Miss Independent's tears kept flowing.I sat down on each girls bed and told them that from now on when I asked them to do something I wanted it done straight away, that when they made a mess they would be cleaning it straight away, that when I said jump into bed not another sound would be heard. 

It used to be like that until I managed some how to stop following through with my 'threats' and now as a result I seem to be yelling an awful lot. 

Consistency is the key. So here's to hoping I can get back into the old routine and things actually do change around here!

In unrelated news: My Beloved is off at Fraser Island escorting tourists around and camping.The good news is he now has a new V8 Cruiser as his car and he is very proud of himself. I am sure in three days time when he is back he will tell me all about it, and, if it is at all interesting I shall share it with you.

Hey I did say it was unrelated!