honey - your house sounds exactly like mine. I am a big believer in consequences for your actions, and taking responsibility for your own behaviour.

My big kids are the same age as yours - we have two job lists, that they swap week about. they have consequences- natural, or sometimes, put in practice. their jobs are: wash dishes, dry dishes and put away, hang the washing out and bring in, fold it up, mow the lawn, pick up the dog poo, keep their room tidy, change their bedding, clean their bathroom, and toilet, tidy the play room, look after the chickens, feed the dog and cat.... so that must make me a horrible mother too!

I believe that I am teaching them to be self reliant individuals, that will know how to take care of themselves when they are in the big bad world by themselves. My dd (nearly 13) loves to cook, and often asks to cook dinner - and does most of the baking for school now (sometimes I have to kick her out of the kitchen because I LIKE to do it too!!! lol)

Tell me - this mother your told - what are her kids like?