'Twas a week after Christmas and all through the house..

not a creature was stirring not even a mouse..
everyone had gone off to school or to work..
so Mummy was left with a rather large smirk..

I love my kids, I really really do, but by gum am I glad they've gone back to school. Despite the killer early morning I don't think I could have taken another moment of the bickering. It started two and half weeks ago at 3.25pm when I collected them from school at the end of term and it continued, steadily until 8.55am this morning when I dropped them back there again.

They - did - not - stop.

Now I know all kids bicker. My mum smacked me and my brother very hard once up the Eiffel Tower. She had taken us on a special treat to Paris and up the tower to admire the view. All we could do in return was bicker. She, understandably, had had enough. Oh how I feel for her now.

Pre Christmas I threatened to tell Santa if they didn't stop, so that he wouldn't come. They just looked at me witheringly and carried on.

Post Christmas I threatened to take all their presents to the charity shop. They just looked at me witheringly again as the baby cackled with glee as it was absolutely NOTHING to do with her and shoved another chocolate coin in her mouth.

I tried banning screens, I tried banning telly, I sent them to their rooms, I put up charts for good and bad behaviour, I took them out individually for special bonding time with mummy, I sent them on play dates. Nothing worked. They still bickered non stop.

So it is with some relief that they have gone and I have some peace and quiet back. I normally feel a twinge when they've gone. The house normally feels empty and quiet.

But this morning, nada. It's bliss..

Happy New Year indeed.