I’m halfway through my own social experiment:  Can I, the mother of one, successfully take care of four more kids for one week while their parents travel out of the country?  So far, so good!  We’ve survived one night of every kid crying because of missing their parents and one call from the school nurse for a bump on the head suffered at recess.

We’ve managed homework, baths, dinner, and three different school bus pick ups for kids ranging from ages 5-12.  My own child is in there somewhere too, and she’s loving it.  She thinks this is what it would really be like if she had siblings.  Of course, she has no idea about sibling rivalry, true sharing, and split attention from parents.

Since I’m staying at their house, I’m a bit out of sorts just trying to figure out where things are located.  But, it’s really interesting to see how another family operates.  My daughter takes a full hour to get ready for school in the morning while these kids are up and out the door in 30-minutes including breakfast.  I’m not sure what we’re doing at home that takes so long.

Also, they have a no technology rule Monday-Thursday.  So, no TV, Wii, games, or computer unless it’s school-related.  That’s pretty cool.  I haven’t watched TV either since I go to bed and read when they do.  Last night, we put the radio on and they had a blast just singing and dancing.  My daughter kept saying to me, “Mom, I LOVE it here!”  Perhaps our family of three will be quite boring after this.

I’m not use to the noise level for sure.  I lead a pretty quiet life I’ve learned.  Doing homework with five kids is LOUD.  They all talk at once, right over the other kid.  Honestly, I’m not sure what homework went out the door with what kid this morning.  I feel like I’m in a school lesson all my own this week!  If you have a big family, I’d love to hear your tips for making things run smoothly.

I have been feeling overwhelmed lately.  You know it’s a sign that you’ve over scheduled yourself when you’re  actually EXCITED for a whole half day to clean your house!  But, yesterday afternoon was finally that day for me after what feels like weeks of build up.

Any visitor to my home can pretty much tell how I’m doing by the look of my kitchen counters.  If things are piled up, life feels out of control.  But if things are neat and tidy with the dishes done, I’m at peace (or else I shoved it all in the closet).

A new study from the Pew Research Center confirms all that I feel.  But, it’s even worse according to the results for working women with young children.  The age-old torn heart and divided commitment for this population leaves them feeling chronically stressed.

I’ve found an undesired byproduct of this is young girls in particular who think this is the way life is supposed to be - stressed.  They act stressed like it’s a status symbol, as if having too much to do makes you important.  They complain about “everything they have to do” and conclude with “I don’t have enough time.”  Sound familiar?

One good reason to simplify our lives is to teach our children how to do the same.

If you’re a soccer mom or dad, please read Nine Things Parents Don’t Get About Kids and Sport. I was floored by Tip #1 “During car rides to games or practice, kids don’t want you to tell them how to do this or that. Kids are thinking or respond:  “I am not stupid,” or “I know how to play the sport I play.”

Gulp.  Guilty!  Now that our daughter is in travel soccer, we have up to an hour to discuss what she would like to improve and focus on for the day’s game.  She’s polite, but resistant.  Now, in our defense, we don’t set our agenda as hers, but merely ask her what she has chosen to focus on.  Yet, this alone appears to be a tortuous conversation for her.

Tips 2-9 are just as valuable.  If you’re a soccer parent - or parent of any other sport-kid, I’d love to her your feedback.  Do you agree with these tips?

There is something my kid has that I want:  Information.  I try to pry it out of her.  Boy, do I try.  It sounds something like this, “How was your day?  What did you do?  What was a highlight?  Any challenges?  Who did you seat with at lunch?  Do you have any homework?”  Sound familiar?

Her answers are less than satisfactory.  She gives me one or two words, no details, no dramatic stories.  That is, not until later.  She’ll wait until I’m in the middle of a project, running out the door, or totally engrossed in a TV show.  Then, and only then it seems, she starts talking and she won’t quit!  I listen of course, but I think to myself, why didn’t you tell me this earlier when I asked?

Back to the one-word answers:  control.  It’s all about control.  Most kids, mine included, yearn for a sense of control.  There is little they can do, few decisions they can really make about their lives without adults running interference.  But, when it comes to the intimate details of their day, they have total control over what they share.  Most times they won’t share it all because they don’t want nosy parents taking over.  So they sit, and wait, and talk on their own time schedule.  I calm my inquisitive mind by knowing I’ll get the information I want, just not when I want it.