It’s Friday evening and I have a challenging weekend ahead of me.
My partner is abroad, my “niece” (aka my ex-nanny turned adopted child) is going abroad on Saturday morning and I bravely invited the kids’ cousins for a sleep over.
I’m full of determination that I will make every weekend I have with my kids an opportunity for some quality time. Memories that hopefully will stay with them much longer than presents or gadgets.
During the winter we did lots of things indoors, playing board games, drawing, reading, playing cards, playing dominos, chess, etc., but now the sun is out and we got them bicycles for their birthday so it’s time to get out there.
There’s a million things that can be done outdoors, not all cost money, and it’s important for me that they have good times to look back on.
I have some ideas of fun things to do with their cousins too, simple fun things in the garden. Fortunately I can fit everyone in the car, so we will probably go out for dinner. McDonalds is likely the treat chosen (an exception at our house).
In the morning there will be home made pancakes with fruit and dark chocolate!
I’m prepared for the fact that sleep won’t come early and there will be lots of whispering. I’m going to have to dig deep into my patience bucket and just let it be what it will be (an adventure) 😉
On Sunday the cousins will have to leave early due to their activities so I’m planning to take the kids to church (has been a while) and then a nice lunch somewhere outdoors.
In the afternoon the plan is to sit altogether and workout the new reward chart that we’ve been talking about. It’s the first time that they will have real money to earn from their good behaviour so they’re super excited!
I’ll let you know how it went! It’s a huge challenge for me, fresh out of the “positive family kit” course to demonstrate that I can be assertive AND fun at the same time!
PS: Update from Monday: I survived! It all went well. There were some assertive moments, but I had fun too. They only really fell asleep by about 10pm and woke up at 6am the next day. Pancakes breakfast on Sunday was a success, and Church was having a lunch after the service so very nice weekend all in all 🙂