Chores, chores and more chores

Solid Rock Academy is officially back in session. We started Tapestry (our literature, geography, history) last week but started everything else on Monday. A few years ago we started having an "open house." I know that seems crazy since they know what their "school" looks like and they know who their teacher will be. Whatever - it works for us. Anyway, we usually always go out to dinner and then come home and go over the "rules" and contracts. This summer has been very different than most. I don't exactly know why but different - it felt like it never even happened. Needless to say, it feels as though I am already weeks behind and we have only been in session 2 days. So, we go out to dinner - in separate cars because I needed a few more minutes to finish up their contracts. We have a list of undesired behaviors and each child comes up with their own consequence for what their punishment will be for breaking it. It is sort of a personalized "if then" chart. Then, Ryan and I go over their suggested punishment, tweak it as we see fit and then the next morning it is waiting on their desk for them to enter into our agreement. (Every year Owen trys to refuse to sign it!) We have really cracked down on the kids over not completing their chores. Sometimes we also have difficulty in completing school work as well. With the school work, sometimes it is their fault and sometimes it is my fault - I just couldn't get to them in time. So I was explaining to them that they would not recieve the said punishment for not completing their school work if it was my fault. Well, Monday morning comes and Ian takes a look at his chore chart and then takes a look at his school assignments for the day. He says (as earnestly as possible) "Mom, what happens if it is YOUR fault we don't get our chores done." I say, "Why would I stop you from doing your chores? To my knowledge, I have never stopped you from completing your chores." He picks his school list back up and waves it at me with one eyebrow slightly raised as if to say "this is going to take me YEARS!" It didn't, he got his work completed and his chores done and still had time to play outside but I don't think I will ever forget that look he gave me like "what in the world are you trying to do to me!" Brainpower, Ian, brainpower.