RAINY SATURDAY MORNINGS...

Are best for doing chores. Especially when it means that softball practice is cancelled and our favorite farmer's market is down due to the deluge. But spirited, recently ungrounded 9-year-olds would heartily disagree.

So instead, as we've had to do so often since they first learned to speak, we've struck a bargain.

For every thank-you card they write, they'll earn 10 minutes of computer time. They've still got cards they haven't written for the play they were in, Christmas gifts, and now birthday gifts, for goodness sakes! I'm now thinking this could severely backfire on me.

For every stack of laundry they put away (properly), they'll earn a half-hour of uninterrupted Mama-nag-free time. This one, clearly, will be more taxing on me.

And for every basketful of toys/books/chincheria they put in its proper place, they'll earn an extra 15 minutes of staying up past their bedtime tonight. :)

As you know, though, saying it and following it through are very often two completely different things. The inevitable catch-22 of the exhausted parent. But I'll let you know how it actually turns out.

In the meantime, what are some ways you ensure you're not the only one working 7 days a week around your house? Please please share. We could use all the help we can get 'round here!