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So summer is here and I am determined to have some schedule and organization to our days. First on my list is teaching my kids to do more chores and to get them done properly. I have had a few people recommend some good books for this and I plan to buy them, but I wanted to post it out on here and see what worked for you now or growing up.
Today I decided that during nap time I would have Lindsey clean out my car. Seemed like something she could do.
Here is the steps:
Step 1- Clean out toys in bag.
Step2- Clean out Garbage.
Step 3- Vacuum
Step 4- Wipe everything down
Seems easy enough. I started her on the task at 2pm (right when everyone went down for naps). My only break! I spent the entire nap time working with her, doing a lot of the work. She did vacuum the car out but it wasn't what I consider properly. It is now 4:40 and she is off to a friends house. It only took her 2 hr 4o minutes to complete a task that should take just 30 minutes and I feel like I did nearly everything over again showing her what to do. It was certainly more work than doing it myself. Somehow she still feels like the slave too.
As of right now my schedule for them is to get up, get dressed, clean room, make bed. They cannot go anywhere unless this is done. To me these are personal stuff. What I am working on is getting them to contribute more to the household work and learn to do it properly. It is very hard for me to let them do it and not redo it all my way. It just takes twice as long as doing it myself!
Anyway... I hope all your moms will share you best tips with me. I sure could use them!
Happy summer. It's freezing here. We went from 90 degrees to barley 55. I have the babies cold and they are still struggling with it too. Sydney still has no voice. I cannot believe how hard it is to get to the gym when I cannot go during the day. I still make it, but I am exhausted! Busy busy busy around here!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Teaching kids to work...
Posted by Laura at 4:36 PM
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4 comments:
Laura,
I would recommend just going to your library and checking out books on this rather than buying the books. I've found with this sort of genre of books I get ideas, they click and then I don't need to go back to the books.
Great minds must think alike because I have the same goal. Right now, my kids have to keep their rooms clean (Garrett doesn't have to make his bed though). They are also responsible for getting their stack of clothes from the laundry room and putting them away.
My big frustration is that Grace, who is old enough to be doing additional chores is my least cooperative and least willing to help. Everything is a challenge unless she wants to do it. Garrett works harder than she does and he's 3!
I also usually make Grace set the table. I've been trying to decide what a good balance is. When my mom was alive I had to keep my room clean and I had to help dust and do other chores, but it never felt like much. Once she died our household dynamics changed and I had to do ALOT of chores. I mean ALOT. Like all day Saturday and a minimum of 1 hour each weekday. I always felt this was unfair and so I don't want to do that, but I don't want my children to be lazy, either. That's definitely the direction Grace is heading, so let's compare notes and see what works.....
hey,
check out flylady.net
she has special sections that are just for children and cleaning.
I love her program and wish I had more follow through with it.
She is big on routines and accomplishing bigs tasks just a little at a time. And she makes it all fun.
I joined up because I was living in chaos. Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome. You'll understand if you check out her page.
Anyway about the middle of her webpage you'll find a section with bright green called Flying with Children. you don't have to pay anything to go there or even sing up with the program.
Even if you think she's a little obsessive I'm sure you'll get some good ideas.
Enough ranting for now.
But I do love Flylady
Amy Ritchie
Great minds think a like! One of my main goals this summer is to "Teach my kids the value of work". I feel it is an important task that they must learn in order to succeed in their lives. The sooner they learn it the better.
My problem is like yours.. it is easier and faster just doing it myself. I am even thinking of taking some things off our busy schedule so I have the time to teach them.
I'd love to know what those books are you were talking about!
wow, i see alot of us are in the same boat. of course most of us have kids the same ages too. anyway, this has been my thought as well and i agree that it is much easier to do things myself. latoya, i must say has been a huge help. although she does not have set chores, she does do a bunch of things if i ask. all i have to say is the living room needs to be cleaned and she cleans it ~ the whole thing! i too feel like she is a slave when i ask her to d something, i usual feel guilty. i do have to do the vacuuming as she doesn't get it done right. anyway, i will check back to see what you get for suggestions! have a great week!
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