I tried, I really did. I told the boys they were on their own for breakfast and lunch. At 10 & 12, they are more than capable. The fault lies with me. What I should have said is what I really meant, which was "get your own breakfast and lunch on a reasonable --TO ME-- schedule. Those of you who have already been through raising pre-teens feel free to laugh. What ended up happening was that for the most part, they would graze lightly during the day, and at 4:00, faint from hunger, go locust-like through the kitchen. This pretty much made my carefully planned dinner a joke.
However, the inner control freak prevailed, and came up with a new plan. I've been making those carefully planned dinners around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It feels strange to make huge meals in the middle of the day, but since it's summer they are lighter and easier to cook, so it's not too bad. After lunch (lunner?) everyone helps to clean up and then is free to pursue their interests (or take a siesta). So at the end, everyone's nutritional and control needs are satisfied. I know they've eaten well early enough so that they don't go in search of junk with their friends, and they feel like they have more of their summer to enjoy (all 46 remaining days).
All this independence is great, but I have one last trick up my sleeve to gather everyone at the end of the day....dessert!
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