Hi Ladies

As most of you are aware I`m a Step Mum to Mark`s two boys - Michael who is 12 and Alister who will be 11 on 2nd June. They are both very good boys, like most children they do have there moments.

We have the boys every other weekend - pick up Friday after school and we drop them back Monday morning for School and also have then for half of the School Holidays.

When they are with there Mum I gather they don`t have to do too much around the house as when we have them I have to pick up after them like they are 6 years old, just simple things like picking up lolly papers off the floor, putting their bath towels back on the airer, making their beds, clothes and shoes are left throughout the house and outside, toys are left lying around on the bathroom sink. They seem to make such an awful mess and just leave it all for me to come and tidy up after them. Am I asking too much to ask them to tidy up after themselves or should I just be keeping my mouth closed and do it myself.

This morning both DH and I asked them to sweep and mop the bathroom and kitchen floors as it gets too much for me and we thought they should be quite capable. We got a lot of why do we have to do it, why can`t you?? They did eventually do it or should I say Michael did it all - we told them one could sweep and one could mop but apparently Alister doesn`t know how to sweep or mop so Michael did it all.

Now this is really making me wonder why a boy of 11 doesn`t know how to sweep or mop floors and both weren`t impressed by us asking them to do it - Don`t kids especially boys have to do housework to help out??

What are your views on children of this age helping out. My Dad grew up having to do housework every weekend and he had 4 sisters but still had to do chores. I remember having to help Mum with the housework when I was young also. Are we asking too much of them??

Take Care

Deeanne