Welcome to my (semi) regular Friday feature, Worst of the Week. As a white, suburbanite husband and dad of two kids, there’s a lot that can go wrong and this entry is all about how to fix it. I hope you enjoy it!

It’s a minor miracle of sorts at the Marshall household – the kids have been good, very good. Homework is being done, the kids are watching a lot less TV (sans American Idol), they are paying attention in school and they are eating good healthy food without a fuss. That’s the main reason why I haven’t written a column in the past few weeks.

I think the main reason is the gloomy Michigan weather has given way to warmer, sunnier days. Bike riding has started, basketball is being played on the driveway and Patrick has started baseball with fierce intensity.

But there is one thing that I can harp on: their bedrooms are a complete mess, especially my daughters’. In part it’s OK. You see, in the winter we are all cooped up and cleaning can be done with ease because there’s nothing but cold outside and they spend a good amount of time playing or doing homework in their room.
Now that it’s nicer outside, the last thing they want to do is hangout indoors. Plus there is more daylight, so by the time it’s time for bed all they want to do is crash and tell me that, ”they’ll take care of it tomorrow”. This is exactly what I told my Mom growing up. Mustafa had it right with that “Circle of Life” thing. Eventually it’ll get cleaned up or I’ll bribe them in some way, so I’m not to concerned at this point. But if I have to write the same column two weeks in a row, then we might have a problem.

I admit I am being picky, but it’s something that struck me after the kids went to school – oh and they of course left their lights on, too. That’s something that irks me to no end. Having said all this, I may switch this column up from time to time with Best Of The Week. Not to gloat, mind you, but to share their challenges when it comes to their accomplishments. I’m sure many, if not all, of you will be able to relate.

Now for those of you who were looking forward to a real Worst Of The Week – look under your kitchen sink and see if you come across a dead mouse, like I did on Wednesday. Nothing but nasty.

(no picture this week because Erin’s room is rated NC-17)