Mess mystery

Okay, I'm really starting to worry about my girls. Not kidding, it hit me that all along I thought I had lazy kids, completely oblivious to clutter. Every evening I've been acting like a big nag, walking around the house like a drill sergeant, barking out orders. "Throw this in the trash! Whosever socks these are, get 'em in the dirty clothes! Whoever thought it was a good idea to eat a package of crackers on the couch, come CLEAN it up!" And so on, and so on, making for quite the fun-filled evening.

But I know it's hard on kids, ya know. To go to school all day and then come home and have to follow so many rules and work till late hours cleaning. I mean my rules, like put your food wrappers in the trash or put the lid on the toothpaste may sound so over the top and way too demanding, so I feel bad somedays for hounding those poor darlings. However, when I find popcorn, used cheese stick wrappers and empty juice boxes under the couch, I picture little rodent visitors invading our house or maybe a hoard of ants, neither of which I feel would be the best guests to have so I feel I must require my innocent children to walk the seven steps up to the kitchen trash can and throw their messes away. If that sounds harsh, then I apologize.

Please forgive me also, for constantly bugging them to put their dirty clothes in the basket. I know that is also a tough one, especially their towels, they are quite heavy. And...I'm kinda starting to worry that all three of my girls' eyesight may be getting worse, because it seems I'M the only one who sees the ponytail holders scattered all over the house. Not to mention the hundreds of bobby pins and tiny hair clips sprinkled in every room. Man, if I had a dollar for every one of those I found?! Anyway, I thought my kids were just lazy, but I guess I better make an appointment with the eye doctor ASAP!

That makes me think that there might also be a medical reason why my 12-year-old can't seem to throw away her price tags from her new clothes. I think her brain thinks tossing them on her bedroom floor, tucking them in dresser drawers or leaving them on her dresser and nightstand is more appropriate?? I don't know. Maybe I should call her pediatrician. When I call, I could also ask the doctor if there's a medical reason why my girls all prefer to ball up their used socks and decorate the house with them like it's Christmas Again...I don't know? I can understand not making beds, because THAT is a physical nightmare and hard on a child's shoulders and back, but I would think hanging a jacket up, would be a breeze?

It's all a mystery and I better take some time and really figure out if my girls need professional help. I'd hate to continually get mad at them or make their evenings so miserable if they simply can't perform these difficult tasks or they just aren't visually seeing their personal items strung about. I'll be sure to get some appointments made, as soon as I finish throwing everyone's snotty Kleenex away.