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Blog Entry 3 of 6 Parenting..Parenting...Parenting!

Anyone who has been a parent knows that it brings both great rewards and challenging moments. This is my take on the life of being a being a parent, most of that time a single parent.....my struggles, my successes and everything in between.

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Memo: Meet in the living room @ 9am

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Contributed by: Elina Martinez on 9/15/2007

The memo is short:
Family Meeting
Time: 9am
Location: Living room
Agenda Items:
*Chores
*Phone
*Schedules
*Open Forum

Today was our family meeting. Nothing fancy, simply a time to gather after our breakfast of Migas (chorizo, eggs, and corn tortillas scrambled together...it's delicious, there's none left), and orange juice. In this house, as in all my other families homes, much of our best family time revolves around sharring a good meal. However, once this is over....kitchen duty must waite as it's 5til 9 and the meeting must begin.

My girlfriends laugh that I have these "family meetings"..some say I'm crazy, some say it's cute. But what's a single mom to do???? I was a teen mom, with my oldest being 16, and I try whatever might work. Sometimes I fail, sometimes I win, but so far it seems like this type of thing is enjoyed by everyone in this house. I have to at least try to run this home like some what of a business for my own sanity in for no one elses. The t.v. is always off, and everyone must be present.

These meetingsare often the only time where we have a set time to talk about things that are comming up and make sure everyone knows about what's going on at the same time.

First on the schedule is chores. Every week I try to have a new assignment.

Second is phones: So maybe I am a pushover, but my boys have phones. First and foremost so that I can get ahold of them, and second so they can call me in an emergency. But gone are the days of sneaking the phone cord down the hall to find some privacy to talk when you weren't supposed too. Now they just go in thier rooms, or the garage, or outside around theblock for a ride....Thank goodness I still have a spy (a.k.a My 9 year old) who informed me, after being told on of course, that certain people were talking on the phone till 1a.m last night. Yes, I know it's a Friday, but is still is not acceptable even if I have boys, and what on earth kind of girls can talk till 1a.m.? I know that answer to that......but it reminds me of myself so I won't answer that question. Now I have to take cell phones at night.

Third thing on the agenda was schedule and changes as I finish my last few classes @ DU. Also, fall sports schedules, quinces, and anything else that requires coordination. As a major calendar is needed to keep up with three boys and their busy lives.

Lastly was the open forum..this is the best part and usually what makes the meeting so fun. Here is where I found out that someone is "going out" with a girl...yet he's only 13 and never goes anywhere without me or his brothers so I don't really understand what that means...and someone else has three hairs on his chin, he thinks he looks older.(yea right) And someone, may have drank from the milk gallon but he promises not to do it again it's just he was really thirsty at the time.(note to self: buy new milk)

Taking this silly idea from meetings at work and implementing it at home has been the best thing I ever did. We have had more good times than bad and we laugh together, and the opportunity to have 1 on 1 meetings with each of my children later let's them know that I value their opinions and I will listen to their concerns. Again, there was no handbook that came with my boys. If you are in need of communication time..give my family meetings a try.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Elina Martinez

Denver , CO

Elina Martinez has posted 6 blog entries and 3 comments since joining on 9/13/2007. Elina Martinez 's average blog rating is 4.53.

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