Not caring for each other

It started with the weekly laundry sorting.  After 2 hours, EggEgg and Cola still haven't finish sorting through the weeks laundry.

First, Tonton went in and told them, "Hey EggEgg, come on."
Then I followed and asked them why they are screaming and yelling when Baby is sleeping.
"He squashed me and  first."
"No, he did it."  They are blaming each other.

Then came another round of screaming and yelling.
"He hit me."
"No he hit me first."

By the time they have finished with the laundry, Cola took a shower.

Afterwards, I heard a steady running of water at full blast.  Turned out Cola has finished his shower, but didn't turn off the tap for the past 10 minutes. This is the third time he's done it, after countless lectures about conserving water.

It is 8pm bedtime.  Why is that they require 2 hours finish their shower routine, and then muck around for another 60 minutes just to brush their teeth, pee and put on their pyjamas?

This is the last straw. Totally exhausted and exasperated.
For the first time in their lives, I didn't scold them, didn't shout, and didn't nag.

I merely tell them,
"Well you didn't do your part, don't expect me to do my part. I'm not going to iron your clothes, not going to pack your lunchbox, not going to wake you up in the morning. You can do that by yourselves, or whatever. I don't care.

Oh by the way, you are not having dinner either because your dinner time is over. Now, you may to bed, it's up to you if you want to brush your teeth or not. And if you want to wee in your bed, fine by me. It's your bed that stinks anyway, not mine."

So they went off to bed, Tonton, Bobo and I had a quiet delicious dinner by ourselves.

Worried. Of course I was worried.
I worried that they might not sleep well with an empty stomach. Will they toss and turn? Will they have nightmares?
Will they wake up in the middle of the night and gorge on junk food?  Worse, will they pick the allergic food that they are not supposed to touch?
Should I let him wear a crumpled shirt to school, on the day when he's supposed to be going on stage and receiving an award?
Will they be able to make themselves their own lunch box? Cola's only 4 years old.

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But my worries are unfounded. EggEgg woke up in the morning, still half grumpy, half annoyed that I punished him this way.  He ate his breakfast nonchalantly in silence, then proceed to make himself his lunchbox.  And even challenged me, "Mami, didn't you say we are supposed to make our own lunch today? Why are you taking out the lunchboxes from the cupboard for us?"

I sigh and proceed to eat my own croissant and drink my own chamomile tea, enjoying a leisurely Monday morning breakfast in peace, but tensed.

Cola got the point too.  He woke up, dressed himself, ate his breakfast cleanly, and tidied up his toys from last night.  I pointed out to EggEgg that perhaps he should spread the jam on the bread for his younger brother.  But EggEgg being the usual selfish one, just gave his characteristic shrug of  "I don't care, I don't know what you are talking about."

So Cola ended up getting his own grapes from the fridge, washing them in the basin, and put two slices on plain bread in his lunchbox.

EggEgg being the more skillful one, has a honey-spread sandwich and strawberries for lunch.

EggEgg asked me, "I need to wear a shirt today. Could you iron them for me?"
I replied with a deadpan tone, "Daddy ironed it for you last night."
I didn't want to revealed that it was me who ironed it last night for him.

EggEgg didn't not give any word of thanks to me or Tonton either.

Ungrateful! ungrateful!  I am raising a bunch of ungrateful kids who just expects, demands, wants wants wants.  Tonton and I worked so hard to provide a comfortable, fun, and memorable childhood for them, but they just take it for granted that we the parents are just there to sacrifice our weekend, our energy, our time and our money.

Perhaps its time to turn the tables.  First, you must please me, then maybe I'll do something for you, if I feel like it.