I am trying to get our family back on California school time after our Hawaiian vacation (Hawaiian time zone is 3hrs earlier). Kids go to bed 1/2 hour earlier every night, get up 1/2 hour earlier in the morning, until we get back to a 8pm bedtime and 7am wakeup.

NOT easy. Trying to wake them up right now, and they’ll have none of it. Am resorting to playing loud music, turning on bright lights, and pulling off covers. Already tried kissing and tickling. Maybe I should offer a popsicle reward for getting the hell out of bed?

Did I also mention that I myself have zero desire to be awake right now? Ugh, sucks to be Mom sometimes. You have to do all this terrible stuff yourself to keep the household running, and then you have to make others do it as well. Small others. Who kick.

Duh, just figured out a brilliant solution. Put on their favorite cartoon in the living room, just loud enough for them to recognize it. And I’m singing the theme song. Up and at ‘em!

Score one for devious tactics, worked like a charm!