A Midsummer Nights Dream

Dear Gran,

Cheryn and Rachel "camped" in the entrance hall to our home on Saturday evening - sleeping in their new sleeping bags bought for the ward camp the night before.

Gill's been away in England looking after her nieces. You might think that me having to look after four young kids would be a challenge - not at all - here are Mr. Mom's housework tips.

• Live on sandwiches, yogurt and cereals - saves washing up and the kids can make their own.
  
• Slash laundry effort by allowing only one outfit per week. Two of my kids (they shall remain nameless for now) usually go through more outfits than a fashion show. And the clothes are not really that dirty - if the kids in Dafur can wear their outfits more than once so can mine.
  
• Appoint one kid as a "housework slave" and make him do all the work. Pretty soon he's enforcing the rules and the others are tidying up after themselves. It's a bit hard on the kid but three days at a time is about enough to let the message sink in.
• Pile the laundry on the lounge chairs. Last time Gill went away I got moaned at because she came home to a huge pile of unsorted laundry on the lounge floor. I've put in on the chair this time so she'll be much happier, and it hides the grafiti Corbin writes all over the house.
  
• Don't do the dishes until you've used the back of the last spoon to make a peanut butter sandwich - it discourages the less creative from making a mess.
  
• Let a 7 year old wash the bathroom floors. Rachel used so much soap that they now get cleaned every time they get wet. It's a bit slippery but very hygienic.