As someone who has enjoyed a certain amount of peace and quiet in the past year, the arrival home of my boys has been, to say the least, jarring. It’s not even Memorial Day weekend, and I have already contended with strange boys sleeping on my couch, people peeing against my garage, lost boat keys, lights and fans left on, empty towel closets, and a looming Memorial Day Monday barbeque, which I am dreading.
If you are also expecting the return of family members as summer closes in, here are a ten suggestions to make the transition as smooth as possible.
- Get rid of any idea you used to have about how your house should look, or has looked in the past. That’s over. Redefine your terms.
- Have family meetings. They can’t know what you expect if you don’t tell them. Give them chances to succeed.
- Don’t scream. What good does that do?
- Make everyone do his or her own laundry. If they want clean clothes, they’ll learn.
- Post reminders around the house about chores, trash night, and Do-s and Don’ts. They’re a visual generation.
- Be thankful when they help. Don’t say, “That’s the least you can do,” or “’Bout time you earned your keep.” Gratitude goes a long way.
- Buy plenty of paper plates and Solo cups. That will cut down on dirty dishes and broken stemware.
- If they have people over, make sure they cap it at a number, and give you a defined end time. That way there is no confusion.
- Remind them that you pay their phones and car insurance, and that could end immediately if they don’t respect your rules.
- Remind yourself that one day your house will be clean and orderly, and you will miss these times.
Really.