Out Of School

My kids are out of school for the next two weeks.  Unfortunately, I have to work those two weeks, and I am a little nervous about leaving them home themselves.  I am already resigned to the fact that my house will not stay clean.  I am also prepared for all the phone calls from Ryan because Brandi and Kasi are fighting.  Brandi has become quite the little monster these days, and I have started cautioning Ryan and Kasi to not anger her, because she gets downright mean.  I know this isn't very good parenting, but it keeps the peace while I am out on the road.

I am dreading next summer when Ryan is working and the girls will have to be home together every day.  I am thinking about sending Brandi to Camp for a week or two (or all summer!) just to keep her busy.   Or maybe I'll send Kasi.  I know at her age, sleep away camp is a dream, especially if it means getting away from her sister (and me).  I remember being 15 and not wanting anything to do with my parents.  I used to lock myself in my room with a good book and not come out for anything.  I could have been doing worse things (don't even get me started on all the ways my sister spent her turbulent teenaged years!) than reading, and I don't want to give Kasi any reason to rebel.  Going away to Overnight Camps could be just the thing she needs to keep her sanity.  She's such a good kid.  I want her to stay that way.

Of course, if I let her go away for a week or two, Brandi will be Ryan's responsibility, and I'm afraid he might actually tie her up during the day if she starts in with him.  Maybe I'll just send them all away and have a quiet summer all to myself.  Yeah, that will never happen.  I miss them enough when they are with their dad for two nights.  I couldn't let them go away for longer than that.  They will just have to learn how to get along with each other.