The ‘all time low’ week

Well here we are. It was all going too well really and we actually managed to get to week five of the summer holidays before I started shouting.

The ‘all time low’ week is here. Last year we managed to get it over and done with on week one, when we were all on holiday and I had Mike’s support and a good dose of cream tea and Devon cider to get me through.

This year I have been lulled into a false sense of security and apart from biggest boy’s bloody awful bout of pleurisy, we have been having such a nice summer.

The ‘all time low’ week is when one (or both) (or all) of your children totally freak out. They become a child you don’t recognise, and on some days, a child that you don’t like too much. There have been tears and tantrums, arguments and attitude, and luckily, for me, two big work deadlines to throw into the mix too. It’s been a blast.

I know, I know; it will end as quickly as it started. The boy in question will return to his old lovely self, and I will wonder what it was all about. After talking to my mam this week, who was really struggling to remember whether my brother and I had similar phases (of course we did), I expect I too will park it up in the darkest reaches of our family history and not quite be able to remember it when my adult children ask similar questions in years to come.

Anyway, it’s not been very simple this week, and after taking away trips out and TV we are still no further forward. Tonight we drew up a back to basics star chart together where I wrote down four things I wanted him to try and do every day and he wrote down four rewards that he will get in return.

I’m not holding my breath but wish me luck for week six anyway!