Raptureready, you are so right. I didn't work when my kids were little, but having 4 within 7 1/2 years makes you be organized. My husband also travelled. He got a job transfer when my oldest was 10 and youngest 3. I had to prepare the house for sale and get ready to move. I was in Mich. & he was in PA and only came home 1 weekend a month for 5 months. I used to buy the boys socks so that each had his own color stripe; and then when the laundry was done they were to take their own socks out and put them away. They all had duties from the time they were 3 or 4. Makes them very independant when they grow up. When they got to high school they often did their own laundry. And all were able to prepare their own meals.