So there is another project on the horizon. This time for Science.

Yeah science. One of the courses that SS failed.

It is due after Spring Break.

I come home and ask DW if SS is working on it. DW says she believes he is and goes to check.

She comes back and says “He says he is going to work on it at his Dad’s place.”

I called bullshit. DW, looking somewhat defeated said “Don’t you think I don’t know that? I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

I march into SS’s room. He’s playing on his old DS. Hmmm, I forgot about that.

DS confiscated.

“Your project.” I said “You are to work on it.”

“I want to work on it at my Dad’s”

“Okay. But you can at least start now. Figure out what materials you need. How big it has to be. Do some research…”

SS mumbles and grumbles and heads off downstairs.

I take care of dinner. Later I go check on SS.

He’s playing with a jigsaw puzzle.

Jigsaw puzzle confiscated.

SS brings on the water works and runs to his mother.

“This isn’t fair! I want my stuff back! I hate Drac0!”

DW didn’t like that.

Not one bit.

“I am not saving you!” DW barked. “Not this time! I asked you nicely to start working on your school project and you won’t even lift a finger! You want to fail and be a loser, BE MY GUEST, but you are not loafing around the house and playing all evening!!!”

Welcome to hell kid. At least for you, it's hell. For me, it's Monday.”

"Follow me!” I ordered.

SS looked at his mother pleadingly one last time. Thankfully, DW stayed stone cold.

SS followed me sulking into the kitchen.

I point to the sink “Dishes! Now!”

SS looked at me like I had just asked him to power up the space shuttle.

“Yes, you heard me. You are to do the dishes. Afterwards, we are going to fold laundry. Then after that, we are going to tidy up the living room.”

Cinderelllllllaaaaaaaa!!!

I stood over SS as he did the dishes. Or at least, he “tried” to do the dishes. He tried to get out of it saying he can’t do it without rubber gloves.

“I’ll buy you some tomorrow” I said. “For now, use your bare hands.”

The waterworks coming out of this kid was unbelievable. I swear, he could have jet washed the pots and pans with just the tears streaming down his face.

He washed the dishes but then left them in the sink and ran to his room to get a tissue and curl up in a fetal position on his bed. I chased after him.

“Oye! You’re not finished. You need to rinse and dry the dishes!”

SS by now is just a puddle of a wet mess. He said something to me, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of what he was saying. Something about ‘not shouting at him.’

“If you weren’t failing and do as you were told, you wouldn’t be in this mess! Now wipe your face and get back to work. I’m not through with you yet.”

So how do you like me now?
How you like me now?
How you like me now?

SS dried the dishes and DW joined us in the kitchen. She was completely onboard with the program.

“Either you work on your school project, or you do chores around the house SS. What’s it going to be?”

SS caved. He chose to start working on his school project.