COSTUMERY

Yes I stole the word from (three guesses) Havi's blog.  Well, Halloween having come and gone it does seem appropriate that my link hopping would end up at "Costumes".  Such a great idea. Costumes to mark boundaries, to be more aware of your capacity, to "put on" a quality that helps you get something done  (particularly yucky dontwannas) but also taking it off at some point, temporarily appropriating an identity.

For years now I've talked about having some kind of red garment (apron, hat, vest?) that would indicate to even my little kids that any further requests or complaints would land you in your room or Mommy/(not so)Sweetie was going to lock herself in hers.  It's a very tangible way to acknowledge where you are vs. where you think you should be.  It's a way to warn let people know where you're at vs. expecting them to mind-read.

So the corresponding VPAs are:

• some sort of approach-at-your-own-risk kind of garment, easily donned and doffed, not too scary (for the STP), fun but still means business
• similiar hat for washing dishes...vacuuming...OK any kind of house work
• ideas for how to incorporate a timer into all of this

Change of subject...had a great Monster discussion with Wonder Twin.  More on that later...