It’s 6:55 a.m. and Marc has told Ari he may not wake Isabelle up until 7:00 a.m. (That’s right. My always-early-to-rise kiddo has been affected by the time change.) Knowing that Isabelle still being asleep means that it’ll be challenging to start our homeschool day precisely at 8:00 a.m., I give Ari the green light to wake her at 6:59 a.m. as Marc heads off to work.
7:00 a.m.: Turn on “Up First” and do makeup.
7:01 a.m.: Listen to the first story about Ukraine.
7:02 a.m.: Keep listening and applying makeup.
7:05 a.m.: Overhear rumblings of tension down the hall.
7:06 a.m.: Listen to yelling — and it isn’t coming from the podcast’s audio feed. Keep putting on makeup since this is something I typically do after I eat breakfast.
7:07 a.m.: Speed up the pace of makeup application when I hear Isabelle yell, “Stop pulling my quilt!”
7:08 a.m.: Rise from the makeup table after Isabelle yells, “Could somebody help me down here!?” I am the only parent home so it’s up to me to break up the conflict.
7:09 a.m.: Turn off “Up First” while marching down the hall to see what the commotion was about.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Ari was trying to pull my quilt off of the bed!”
“Why were you doing that?”
“She wasn’t getting up,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“You could’ve come to get me,” I said.
Ari made a soft uh-huh sound. (That’s what he does when he realizes he is wrong, but doesn’t want to admit it.)
“What could you have done instead?” I ask Ari.
That’s when he climbs up into Isabelle’s bed and lays down where the sheet is exposed from him pulling the quilt off. He closes his eyes and pretends to sleep.
And that’s when I think THAT IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE! And then I think, is it really only Tuesday?!
Raising Literate Humans 
Oh no! Honestly, my hat is off to you for homeschooling. It is a LOT, especially when it starts at 6:59.
It’s slightly better. We start at 8:00. 🤣
I love how you used the timeline in this post. It helps to build the tension! And I thought his alternative was quite little-brotherish!
He takes his job of “little brother” very seriously.
The play by play action is perfect. Seems like you’ve got the schedule down!
Pretty much! It’s easier now than it was back in October!
Homeschooling!!! However do you manage?
I love these little snapshots into your kids’ days.
I shall answer that question in today’s post!
I love the play by play each minute. I was picturing your morning along with you.
The ending was so sweet. It was definitely one of those huge smile but also groan internally moments that happen in parenting!
It was a definite “if you can’t beat them, join them” moment.
Made me smile. Took me back. When the tussles are times to remember. I love the way you wrote it minute by minute – adds to the tension.
Maybe I should write more of these moments down. It’ll probably give them a good laugh once they’re older.
I’m with Ari – if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them! I love your kids!
And they adore you! Looking forward to getting together for that zoo day once the weather is warmer.
Homeschooling, Sigh! How do you do that? Where is the energy reserve? Plus, the optimism to capture it so beautifully? Lived each moment through your words.
Stacey, fun! I didn’t know you homeschooled. I don’t know, but that alternative Ari suggested looked like it might have been a peaceful option! I’m glad you snapped the photo.