Hi Yoopermom,
I have 11-year-old ggb, so I'm a few years ahead of you. they are in the 6th grade and have been involved in sports for a few years. It's a busy time in our lives with getting them where they need to be, but it's so much fun. I love going to their basketball games, football games, dance recitals, etc. This summer and fall will be our busiest yet. Jack will begin football in early August, games start in Sept. every Saturday for 9 weeks, practice 4 nights a week. The girls will be on the 7th grade basketball team and practice begins in August, games in Sept on Tuesdays and Fridays evenings. Then Jack's basketall season begins in December with games Tues and Fridays. They all three have dance class 3 days a week. PLUS homework, and school projects. The girls were 10 years old the first time they slept over at a friends house. I'm not big on sleepovers, but I will let them go if I know the family well and living in a small town helps with knowing most families. They went to 3 sleepovers last summer. I find that during the school year, because of sports, homework, and projects, there really isn't time for sleepovers. Jack has only slept over at a friends house once. He would rather sleep in his own bed. He gets homesick easily.

Chores - I try to rotate who does what, but each of them have become good at/ and likes a certain chore. Jess and Jack argue over who does the dishes, they each want to do them. Elizabeth is proud of her sparkling bathrooms and they all do laundry.

Allowance - we don't give them allowance. As a family the chores have to get done to make life better for all of us, so they don't get paid, but I will pay them for an extra hard job, that is not in our daily routine, like cleaning out the garage, weeding overgrown flower beds, etc.

I don't know if I helped you any. I just gave you an idea of how busy it gets. It's been busy since the day they were born, it just changes a little each year.

Trish Dawson
Mom to bgg (1992 @ 31
weeks)