Kids and dishes

Yes she can. And you don't have to do it all. 7 year olds can put away dishes. #kiddieresponsibility #havethemhelp

Check lists

If you check it, they will come. My girls Love lists. So this week I created one for the morning routine and another for the evening.

This has helped us keep track of all the tasks and activities that need to occur so we can make the bus and get to bed. It's also a great way for them to be more independent and manage their time. 

I also made a quick one today of some chores. I let them decide on the consequences if they didn't finish by 130pm. Here's my hastily written list.

They have a few hours to do all of this and I am not going to micro manage them. I promise. Let's see how the do!

TV - the reward

TV is a reward for start behavior. Today the girls get to watch a show AFTER they put away their laundry, sweep the dining room floor and clean off the table. We are also doing a sticker chart for start behavior. Fill the chart and you get a treat from the dollar store.

Kid Responsibility

So I was talking to my friend the other day and she has her kid...gasp...make his own breakfast and lunch...breathe...what the? I seriously didn't understand how she was doing it but all the while I'm thinkin'...I have to do some form of this...like now. So... here begins operation  Kid Responsibility. They are never too young to start this! Here's what I am diligently having the girls do each day:  put their dishes in the sink, help make or set table for breakfast, and do a chore each day. Sigh. Keep track of all this with a dry erase/chalk board, piece of a paper or the wall calendar.  Read more on responsibility on John Rosemond's site.

easier nights

You, being the super mommie, already know about doing the following the night before school:  laying out clothes, packing lunches, signing permission slips, and checking and packing homework into backpacks.  You got those right?  But what about these efficiency kiddie tips to make your p.m.'s run just a wee bit smoother:  1. Have your kiddies match socks AND put them away.  2. Have them pack their own lunch – make an assembly line of food and get it done before nighty night time.  They might be more likely to eat what they packed.  3. Get them to work.  I have my girls ages 4 and 6 sweep the floors after dinner, wipe counters and unload the dishwashed utensils. It’s NEVER too early to start chores.  Even Elastigirl couldn’t do it all.  4. Place permission slips and homework on refrigerator or a bulletin board – otherwise...out of sight out of mind.  View eco-friendlybulletin boards here.