Day 4

So today we were coming home from the grocery store and I asked the kids to bring in all of the grocery bags between the two of them when we got home. There is always a problem when I ask them to work together on a chore. One always ends up doing more than the other with lots of bickering in the process. My ears end up hurting from the noise and I wish I had found my ear plugs before I had even asked, lol. So, my new stratagy when this occurs is to give the responsibility to them!! Imagine that. How?? Well, I just let them know before the chore starts that they are each to do their fair share of the job. If one child thinks the other did not hold their end of the bargin up, that person (the slacker of that chore) gets another chore (to do on their own). They each get to say if they think the other did a fair amount of the work. BINGO! Guess what? Since I have done that, there has been no fighting, no bickering and they just do the work, usually coming up with who will accomplish what to get that chore done. Music to my ears!!!! Now, I just have to remember to be consistent with that. That is usually the problem for me when coming up with these ideas. Mom needs to be consistent and follow the program. It is not hard, I just sometimes get busy and forget what actually worked.

A note on the timer.........We had to leave out the door this morning so I got my trusty timer out, set it for 15 min. and let the kids know they needed to be out the door before it rang. My son, the dauddler, was in the car completely ready waiting for us 5 min. before the timer even went off. VICTORY!!! That timer is worth every penny!

Tomorrow, I have got to share another great find with you all. Along the way, I have tried all kinds of different techniques for keeping everyone organized on what they have to do in thier school day. I started something a bit new about a month ago that has really given everyone a real clear view of what they need to do each day and has them staying accountable for their own work during the week. It has helped each child become more responsible in getting their work done.
Stay tuned................................

Peace in your day!