Du Arschgeige!

This week was off to a rough start. I think it has to do with how little time I spent with the boys over the weekend.

Monday I got to sleep in. I eventually got up, ran, went for a bike ride, and then hung out until they all got home. HM got home with the kids around her usual time. One was rude with me most of the time he was home. He didn't want me to play with him or even be in his room. He eventually left with HD for swim lessons. I helped watch Two while HM did some chores inside and out. One continued to be rude to me when he got back. I'm really getting tired of his actions toward me.

Tuesday was even worse, as far as One was concerned. HD left early in the morning for an overnight work trip in Karlsruhe. That afternoon I went over to M's to cook lunch with her and L, who was home sick from school. We cooked a delicious spaghetti bolognese (it was mostly M but L and I helped!). I stayed over until shortly before HM got home with the kids. From the moment the kids got home, One was rude. He said that we aren't friends anymore and that he doesn't like me. He even went as far as to tell me that I should be dead. Not even kidding, those words came out of his mouth. I'm not sure if he completely understands what his words mean, but it's still a shocking thing to hear. The four of us went back over to M's and they all had the bolognese for dinner. We only stayed an hour and a half or so.

Wednesday I stayed home with Two all day. He was well enough to go to school Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday his cough kept him home. As usual, we left to go for a walk when HM and One left in the car. I had to run some errands as well, and we ended up being out for almost two hours. He gets a lot grumpier when we're at home versus somewhere else. HM got back with One around the usual time. I had the rest of the evening free. HD got home late that night. One wasn't as rude with me that evening, though he still wasn't what I would consider pleasant.

Thursday I was home again with Two. We did some walking around town and bought some bread at the organic grocery store up the road. HM got home just a bit after 2 and I was relieved of my duties the rest of the day, having already worked 7 hours. I still went to the grocery store with HM and the kids so I could get some more food in the house that I want to cook and/or eat. I went for a short bike ride after dinner. One was much better Thursday. Still a little on the rude side of the spectrum at times, but overall much better than the beginning of the week.

I've realized that I have to be more stern with the kids, particularly One. I decided to put this into action this Tuesday evening. When we got back after dinner, I told One that he needed to put his bike away since he was done using it. He got mad at me, and eventually tried to kick and hit me. I caught his arms mid-air, informed him that we do not kick and punch and that I would not be playing with him until he apologized to me. He was REALLY unhappy about this. In my opinion, he needs to learn that his unacceptable actions towards me have consequences and that when I say something, I mean it. He may not like me for awhile, but he has to learn that I am also an authority figure and that when I say something, that's that. This all may sound really harsh, but my sanity kind of depends on if these kids have any respect for me. It's exhausting for all of us for HP to have to come in behind me and reiterate what I just said. I realize that this is only my third week being here and that we are all still adjusting, but I would rather not have to still correct these issues 7 months from now.

This week we started keeping track of my working hours. Technically, I'm only supposed to work up to 6 hours a day for a total of 30 hours a week. I don't exactly think a maximum of 6 hours a day is realistic some days, though the 30 hours a week is. For example, my shortest working day this week was 4 hours, but then I worked 10 hours the next day. So as long as I still only hit 30 hours a week, I don't have a problem with how exactly those hours fall.

I may be going to Stuttgart this weekend! Stay tuned to find out.