I have had it.

My children have no respect for their things or my things. I can tell them no until I am BLUE IN THE FACE- and they still feel the need to do whatever they want. My mother bought them a great backpack filled with some classic little kid games. I want them to be played with at the table, under my supervision, and they continually defy me and sneak them out of whatever hiding place I put them in and strew the pieces all over their already messy room. Why is it messy? Because, starting a few weeks ago, they think that cleaning up has become passe. They used to clean their room up, especially if I helped. Now, they just sit there and watch me do it, and no matter what I say or take away- no help.

They have broken some of their Christmas gifts already (nice gifts, not crap) because they won’t follow instructions or put them away. They have no appreciation. Jonas even threw a two year old tantrum at Barnes & Noble today over a stupid neopets magazine he wanted! Hello! You’re FIVE. He is not usually like this. The past two months have warped my kids. Granted, Maggie was good and she got a book, for which she even said, “Thank you Mommy, for my Dora book” in the car on the way home, but still. Enough.

I am so fed up.

I have decided that this year, I will buy no toys. Even for Easter and Christmas- I will purchase nothing but clothes, a few books and educational games. I might even stop ordering Happy Meals! They don’t need the crap. I don’t need the mess.

A few years ago I stopped buying treats all together for Jonas for about three months. He got totally out of the gimmes and became very grateful and polite about getting treats. Apparently the lesson wore off.

Does this make me a big meanie?