Mom on Strike

I'm tired of hearing the accolades when my family is eating dinner, followed with complaining and whining when its time to clear the table and clean up the kitchen.

After this weekend, I'd had enough. When it came time for dinner, Savannah asked me what we were having. "I don't know" I replied.

"What do you mean? You haven't decided yet? I'm hungry," she whined, dramatically throwing herself onto the ottoman.

I shrugged my shoulders and waited until all the hungry mouths were in the kitchen.  "Until further notice, I will not be making dinner for you guys."

"WHAT??????" the kids cried out, "Do you mean you aren't making dinner ever again?"

I looked at them, waved my hand around the spotless kitchen that I'd spent the morning cleaning. "I am tired of hearing you thank me for dinner, yet grumble every step of the way to clear the table and clean the kitchen, and I'm done cleaning up when you don't do it."

I paused dramatically to let my words take effect. "When you can start cleaning up after dinner and leaving the kitchen the exact way I have it right now, then I will start cooking dinner for you guys. Until then, you're on your own."

Last night Chad came to the rescue made them Mac & Cheese, followed by a mad dash out the door to collect Halloween candy, so I don't think it had any effect on them--the pot and spoon greeted me this morning when I walked in to make breakfast.

Tonight Chad is on the ship, and the kids once again wanted to know what was for dinner. "I don't know; what are you making?"

"PIZZA!!!" screamed Savannah.

"WAIT--here are some rules. You must make something that you don't need my help with and you may NOT use the oven."

Out the door she ran, telling all of her friends that she was making dinner.

An hour later, Savannah was outside asking Jackson what he wanted for dinner and in they came, looking like hunters in search of their next meal.

"Can we have this?" Jackson was pointing to the freshly made batch of party mix.

"No you can't have that," I replied.

Next thing I knew, they were in the garage hovering over the freezer.

"Can we have bagels for dinner?"

"Can we have Mac & Cheese? We NEVER get Mac & Cheese!"

"You had Mac & Cheese last night for dinner."

"Oh."

"Mom can I use the toaster oven? I want to make waffles and french toast sticks!"

They proudly carried their selection inside, set up the toaster oven, argued about whether to put it on 'bake' or 'toast', and finally served themselves breakfast for dinner.

While upstairs I heard them discussing what they were going to make tomorrow night......

I've determined this strike is going one of two ways. The kids will either get sick of making their own dinner, or they'll love it and my kitchen will look like hoarders live here.