House Rule...

I have been wondering why I cannot remember anything these days.  It truly has become a serious concern of mine as of late… Being me, I have self diagnosed my forgetfulness due to the obvious lack of exercise, nutrition, sleep or even oxygen (holding my breath). I mean, it is a bit embarrassing -- I am  terribly guilty of missing my children’s  “ friend”  birthday parties.  I miss scheduled dental and doctor appointments. I forget to call people back.  I forget where I put my car keys. I will be in mid sentence and forget what I was saying…. I even found the Deli Cheese in the towel cabinet in the bathroom the other day… It is not looking good for me OR the survival of my offspring, since the reliability of my brain functions is an essential part of their existence…. But, alas – no need to panic – I figured out what the problem is…

Too many rules.

All of a sudden I have all these rules…. Rules about bike riding. Rules about golfing in the back yard (don’t ask). School rules. Homework rules. Rules about the pool.  Rules about behaving in the car. Rules about sitting in church.  Rules about the bathroom. Rules about the toilet seat. Rules about dinner table behavior. Rules about walking. Clothing rules. Rules about what can be eaten just before dinner.  Rules about what can be eaten after dinner.   Rules about technology usage. Rules about the telephone. Rules about Lego’s (seriously!). Rules about Zhu-Zhu pets (I know!). Rules about hide and seek...

 Rules about rules about rules...

 I sat and thought about it, and I literally have created hundreds – if not thousands – of “Holloway House Rules."  And just think, those are just the rules for my kiddos.  I even have rules for my husband!! (Although, he is not a very good rule follower and I am currently reconsidering those rules.)  Funny thing is, I am not even a control freak – believe it or not…  I just have this vision of the way I think things should be done from an - I don’t know-   ”operations/procedural” standpoint…  I guess running a household  is a bit like running a business and should function with rules and regulations for a successful existence … Right? Jeesh, what was supposed to be a systematic process of creating harmony and happiness has now become the very reason for my brain malfunctioning.

I know that the brain is wired to receive, process and send messages that assist with the functioning of the human body both mentally and physically. But, when my children do not “follow”  a said particular “House Rule”  --  I can actually feel the misfiring of  signals in my brain.  The mere fact that none of these rules are actually enforceable must create such havoc in my head that I have become extremely forgetful of everyday simple things (like putting the cheese into the refrigerator) . If this was visible to others, I think a bunch of smoke would be pouring out of my ears and my eyes might even pop out of my head – it would not be pretty.

I am assuming that I am not alone in this, and I am told by the more seasoned moms and dads out there, that this impairment is temporary… But I really cannot wait for this issue to clear up in 10 to 15 years. My credibility depends upon a quick resolution!!  So, I have decided to pick just one rule. A rule that I can live with. A rule I cannot control, but seems to make me feel good when I say it aloud… I am going to line my kids up on the couch and silently look upon them before I whisper to them the one “Holloway House Rule” they must try to follow... and that is….. To enjoy their childhood, to embrace the moment right in front of them and to grow slowly….(Wait a minute! That is three rules!! Ahhh!!)

Ok, Ok. How about just...Grow slowly my Lilliputians ….   GROW SLOWLY....

And that is my final Holloway House Rule……