I'm the Dad, That's Why

No, really, I want to know!

Coming home from work yesterday, I found another mess. Granted, it wasn’t as bad as the mess a few days ago.

This time, I calmly explained that they couldn’t do anything before cleaning up. Without a fuss, without even much fighting, they both pitched in and cleaned up in about 25 minutes.

I’m working on holding firm, and (I hope) they’re getting the concept of being respectful in our shared living space.

And once again, I had “the talk” about respect, and how disrespected I feel when they are careless, or make messes thinking I’ll follow behind them and clean up after them.

“After all I do for you, I expect you to do your part. When I work hard all day to pay for our food and rent and everything else, it hurts my feelings when I see you simply not caring for our apartment. It’s almost like you’re saying you don’t care about me, or how I’ll feel, and it’s hard to trust you.”

A day at a time, right? At least the house was clean when I left this morning.