So here’s the thing. I truly do realize that I’m not perfect. I’m nowhere near the perfect mom, housekeeper, wife, office aide, taxi driver, babysitter, cook. That’s obvious! But I think that on most days, I’m really trying my best. I’ll slack off here and there occasionally, it’s true. But I generally have my reasons. Like sleeping. And if you think about it, I probably work more hours in a week than even the most loyal employee at any corporation. If I added up the weekly hours I spend at “work” (in my home), I should be paid for a 40 hour work week plus about 20 hours of overtime. And that does not include the hours spent at my “real” job.

Now, add in the fact that it’s summertime. My kids are spending a lot more time at home, causing what I figure to be approximately 50% more damage to the house than during the school year. I haven’t had a chance to do the math yet, but I think I’d have to come up with at least 8 more hours per week to cover the increase in toys strewn about, sticky juice on the floor and everything I own relocated daily. There goes sleeping.

But I’m not doing it. I refuse to kill myself so that they can have a clean canvas to destroy each day. Instead I think I’ll leave those blocks there for another time. They’ll probably get back to playing with them again eventually, right? And if they don’t, at least my house is safe from cat burglars.