Four kids had their own radio/record player. So the rule was you each use your headphones or take it outside. Having four different songs blasting throughout the house was not conducive to a peaceful home. The large stereo was in the living room and I would use that when the kids were in school. I usually played classical music. When the kids came home, I shut it off. The same rule applied to me and to them. Peace and quiet. I had a small radio that sat on the kitchen table. That I used for "no school" alerts. That is where I got my news and weather at five o'clock while making supper. That got shut off during the meal. Supper was served at six o'clock. Twice a day they all sat at the table as a family. Breakfast and supper. Breakfast was always a little chaotic and supper was pure chaos. In the morning at the table it was always, "Ma have you seen my ...., seen my school books? etc. Supper was when they all tried to talk at once about there day. I enjoyed our times during supper. Whenever my kids get together, they still talk about the food and conversations at the supper table. A lot of times one of them would have a friend come for supper. There was always enough for one more.
Time to clean up the kitchen. The boys as well as the girls had their appointed days. Mostly clean the table and scrape the dishes. I did the washing and drying. Time for homework. They sat around the kitchen table while I washed the dishes. I was there to help them if they needed it. Then Spike got involved in Little League. He gulped his food and always made a deal with his sister to do his job. Out the door he would fly. He also got a job after school, so he began to get some leeway from the rules. He would ask me what was for supper. If there was spinach, he would bring home a couple of bags and I would cook them just for him. He was working in a small grocery store delivering groceries, cleaning the store, etc. The other kids had afterschool activities also. Girl Scouts. The Pirate was the one the girls used for their child care badge. He loved it. My two girls were both scouts and in the troop together.
Sundays were always a little crazy. That is the day I stripped the bed and did any laundry that didn't get done during the week. They had a choice. Get up, get dressed and go to Sunday School, or stay home and help with the laundry. They all opted for Sunday School.
Kids wandering in and out, an eight room apartment to clean, the phone ringing, activities to attend, meals to make, etc. No I simply didn't have time to listen to the music of my kids. They would tell me of a great new song that just came out. I would tell them to hum it for me. If you can't hum it, then it isn't music and I don't want to hear it. Don't believe me? Try humming rap.