What a day....

Today was a grumpy day for the Jones family.  Daddy and the kids were in rare form.  There was a lot of bickering at dinner and it didn't get any better as the night went on.  #3 didn't do her chores yesterday so as her punishment she had to scrub down a wall of my choosing.  Something new I just started today and she was not to happy with me.  #2 didn't do hers 2 days ago so I had her do a wall as well.  I hope this will keep them up on the chores because they did not like the punishment.  Not to mention it took over 30mins to finish it's harder than if they would have just done what was expected.  

Bed time was fun with a 5 year old in tears.  I told her is was time for bed, she said why?  You have school   in the morning.  Why do I always have to go to school and never get to spend time with my family anymore (in tears).  What, I said.  I never get to spend time with you anymore mommy.  Poor thing, I was at a loss for words.  I gave her a hug and told her I loved her.  She asked if she could come lay in my bed with me until her sister got out of the shower (they share a room and she didn't want to be alone).  Sure, so by the time #3 was done with her shower, 4 was sleeping.  I got her up to go sleep in her own bed (just got her out of our bed when she started school, it was tough and I don't want to fall back into that trap) and she was so sad.  Crying, she begged to sleep with me but as hard as it was I had to stand my ground and make her sleep in her own bed.  I loved on her, told her how much I loved her and asked if she wanted to pray about it.  She was upset with me and sharply replied, "no."  I told her I would pray for her and everything would workout.  I reminded her we would spend the morning together and I would do her hair.  Its tough to go from being home with mommy all the time to a long 6.5hr at school 5 days a week.  I didn't think much about it when she started because I saw some of the children at drop off crying, clinging to mom/dad and not wanting them to leave.  #4 was fine and seemed like it didn't matter if I was there or not.  I was happy that she was excited and not upset but sad at the same time that she was ready to start on this journey without me.  I know she needs me but it was more that I expected.  Here sisters have been helping her with her homework (they love to help and fight over who gets to help her).  So I think I need to start helping her do the homework and do the required daily reading with her (homework is usually one paper and her reading aloud/someone reading to her).  Make that her alone time with me and see if that helps her feel like we have more time together.  Funny thing about the whole thing is how grumpy she has been toward me and her dad.  Starting to wonder if she is feel a little like we have abandoned her so she is acting out.  Just something that came to me as I was writing, so I guess I should think about it.