Backwards Day-When Kids Are in Charge

When kids are in charge of their parents...

There is so much excitement in my home with Backwards Day, I had to start a new post just to share all the joy.  After getting dressed, I greet the girls wearing my Maid Outfit and feather duster, and ask “Who’s first?” Expecting them to fight over the opportunity for Mom to clean their rooms, instead they shock me when they TAKE my apron. Then they search around for the other aprons so all three girls are wearing Maid Outfits. (The third girl was a friend from last night’s sleepover). Once the aprons are tied and adjusted to fit, all three girls start fighting “I’m the Mom. I’m going to do chores.”

It was a perfect opportunity to share the most common words we hear from our kids: “I’m Bored. B-O-R-E-D. I have nothing to do.” The girls were so helpful saying:

• “Read a book, it’s good for your education.”
• “Do your homework.”
• “Clean your room, I nearly died in there.”

Obviously, I was going to rebel and seized the moment to ask if I could watch TV and eat Oreos.

• “No Oreos, you’re on a diet.”
• “No TV, do your homework.”

It made me laugh hysterically when I heard “Gross, the dog peed and I stepped in it. Gross.” I could barely speak when I replied “Great, you’re the Mom, clean it up!” Of course, they left the puddle for me.

I told the “Moms” to be quiet; I could not concentrate on my homework. I suggested that we turn on the TV, do some art, and eat. I told them I was finished, and they disciplined me for completing 6 of the 30 math problems. “I’m hungry, I can’t focus,” I complain. The MiniMoms reply, “breakfast was 20 minutes ago, you don’t need to eat.” Then I heard them whisper “Let’s get healthy snacks- carrots, beans, good stuff.” Soon I was holding a green banana in one hand and a homework pencil in the other. It was very difficult to concentrate, so I felt a slight empathy for my daughter when she works on her daily lessons.

Another interruption when the three GIRLS suggest we go to the mall and shop. They argued like a lawyer on a television talk show:

• Me: “I have no money, I’m just a kid. Kids: “You have a credit card; I’m taking your money and your credit card and going to the mall.”
• Me: “I can’t drive, I’m a kid.”  Kids: “You’re 16, you can drive.”
• Me: “I did not pass the drivers test. I can’t drive.” Kids: Silent.

When my husband returns home, I offer the three MiniMoms for some gardening. Everyone agrees and gets changed into garden clothes, the two older girls carry an American Girl doll and the youngest girl grabs a Black Lab Stuffed animal, attached to my dog’s leash. They’re ready to Garden? I think I’m going to have an hour alone while Dad has an hour of fun.

Happy Backwards Day!