I found out that you need to raise boys differently than girls. It took me eight years to figure that one out.
The boys (or I should say the twins, because they are not the only boys in the family anymore, but it's always what I've called them and I can't break the habit. They would prefer to be called Jocob, if I'm going to refer to both of them. Yeah, yeah, stunts their sense of individuality, blah blah blah, I've got a whole speech for that topic but we wont get into that right now.) ;)
They are in third grade now. They get their work done quickly (when everyone has the right attitude and the day is going as planned) and they have much free time still. This, and the fact that they are getting a bit too old for most toys that, in the past, would keep them occupied for hours, is the perfect recipe for a couple of bored and miserable kids. I can't just tell them to go play and have them run off and find something to do. They end up moping or causing trouble. They need something to do.
I am planning on adding a few more assignments to their day, but not too much. I don't want to punish them for completing their work quickly by piling on more. I don't want to overwhelm them.
More importantly, they are in need something physical. I am making myself aware of tasks that I normally would do myself, things that they are capable of. And giving them activities, simple as they may be, like, "Go out and play ball."
"But, that's boring."
"I don't care. Do it anyway."
They grumbled about it, dragged their feet, but finally went out to play. A few minutes later, I checked on them and they were throwing the ball back and forth, laughing and loving every minute of it. They played for a long time, and when they were finished, they were happy for the rest of the afternoon. A little fresh air and exercise does a spirit good.
Raking leaves is a big job at our house. There has not been one year since we've lived here that it has ever been completed. But as big of a task it is, I set my boys to it. Their job is to move two wheelbarrow loads each a day. It wont get all done, and I don't care. The important thing is not weather the leaves get raked up or not, it's about giving them a rewarding task.
