So here's the latest episode of Making Your Kids Work Without Losing Your Mind.
In the past we have gazed together upon the much beloved Stick Jars , the story boards, and who can forget the chore wheel. Have no fear, these will all go back into rotation soon enough, but as we know, when it comes to kids, variety is the spice (and success) of life. This tactic is more for catastrophic/spring cleaning events
When this last weekend rolled around, our house was frightening. Sick mom, New Beginnings Evening, work every day, four kids, crazy bunny, ... 'Nuff said. All hands were needed on deck, but things were so bad that strategy of military precision was required. It was time for a Mini-Spring clean. Enter yard sale, $2 white board. I got this a while ago. A whiteboard is an invaluable tool and every mom should get one. In the past I have sectioned it off with sticky ribbon which looks pretty but limits your options a bit so I pulled it off.
I split our home into 12 sections/rooms. Then I got two dice. I tell you what, when you introduce dice you have a game. It's quite uncanny. Try it. Hmmm...I now have the sudden urge to launch into song (actually this song is pretty insightful when it comes to getting kids to clean, if only I could get the finger snapping thing down...I have been working on that for years! Shoot.)
Since we have 6 people in our family, it all worked out quite nicely. (Other then for room number 1-but we all know what you do in that dilemma-mom gets it. There, solved.)
So each person got to throw the dice twice, with the sum of the dice obviously deciding which rooms they would clean. After some time, much hilarity, a fair amount of cheering and groaning (and much rooting for the stairway rather then the bathroom -thankfully stoic daddy got them both) and some negotiating and switching, we all got to work. The rule was that each thing on each room's list had to be checked off and once all 12 rooms were crossed through, we'd have a family treat.
It worked! 4 kids worked pretty steadily for 3-4 hours. They loved checking off the chores and I could turn my head when they took self-scheduled breaks-they knew what had to happen before the treat was delivered. I love the no nagging part. By the end of the afternoon, we had accomplished an enormous amount, everyone felt a great sense of satisfaction, my vocal chords were intact, we got to go out for dinner and best of all we came home to a clean house.
This morning I had the board propped up and waiting for them with a cheerful greeting and a list of instructions before school. It was a smooth and quiet morning. It is amazing how much more likely kids are do to things willingly when the instruction does not come out of their mother's mouth. Kids are suckers for dry erase markers and autonomy. And that works for me.
WFMW: Whiteboard+Dice+Kids=Painless Spring Clean
Multi-tasking
Last night I found myself on the couch surfing the web, reading a magazine, whilst watching TV and keeping up an ongoing commentary for the benefit of my husband (who was so grateful for that as he tried to watch another show on his laptop-ah how technology brings us together). To be fair, the TV show in question was this one, so it did not require a great deal of mental engagement. (Ha! I punny), but it strikes me that this may not be the most relaxing way to spend an evening and may contribute to why I have some difficulty in turning off my brain when I finally get to bed each night. Hmm...ya think?
Anyway be it a genetic predisposition, or learning through observance, I have noticed a similar tendency with my kids. And instead of concern over ADD (as with myself), I rejoice that they are clearly not comatose as their brains are turned to mushy alien-food.
Finny has the most endearing habit of them all. (Although Gracie's dance moves are pretty sweet). He uses props to watch TV. He will stand by at the beginning of the show, flexed like a runner on a starter block. Within moments, he has ascertained where the show is going and which prop will be required to participate. He rushes off to the play-room, retrieves what he needs and rushes back ready to go.
All set to watch Handy Manny (note the all important pencil behind ear and the cap.)
Watching TV is certainly an interactive experience for Finny, (which comes in handy for my guilt over letting him watch it rather a lot). He doesn't so much watch the screen as use it for a launching pad for his own little show. I love to observe him as he very solemnly contemplates his role in each show (he cannot be aware of this, because then he gets self conscious and asks me quite sweetly to please go and do something else).
Ack, caught finding him adorable. Invited to leave.
It's a delight. I can't bear the thought that one day in the future he will be lying on the couch, unblinking, mouth agape, deaf to the world (particularly high pitched sounds- such as that of his mother's voice), in the manner of the male homo sapiens. It will be so much less delightful then.
Incidentally, if you watched this train-smash (and will admit to it-I know, I have no pride), what's your take? Mine, when I have more time, I'm in the middle of getting dinner into the crock pot ;)
20 (plus 1) little things to look forward to for Spring
Now I know I just posted a guide to surviving as one of my readers put it, "premature Spring fever", but Melissa over at the Inspired Room posted list of 20 things she is looking forward to this Spring and challenged us to do the same. Half the fun is the anticipation is what I always say, so I think there'd be no harm in a little bit of anticipation...
1. That incredible green of the leaves. There's no green like it-sort of yellow, sort of green. It just sings, "new life! hope! we survived!"
2.The hopeful hue of the sunlight. Gone is the pale far-off yellow, there is a new optimistic light flooding the bedroom each morning.
3.Matching Easter outfits!
4. Open windows to let in that crisp, fresh air which literally smells like a new beginning and a fresh start.
5. The crocus and daffs peeking out, amidst a carpet of little blue flowers in my front patch.
6. Giving my friends daffodils on Daffodil Days
Remember this photo Aunty Jenny? (it took me FOREVER to get right, hope you feel loved)
7. Running outside
8. That sense of energy and excitement in the air-spring fever is a very real thing and I love to walk and drive around town and see it on people's faces
9. Driving with the window down on that first balmy day
10. Tulips nodding at me as I walk up my front path
11. Tulips on my mantle
12. Daffodils in my kitchen
13. Looking for light spring recipes
14. Easter Sunday with friends
15. My children's excitement as they wait for the Easter bunny to leave his loot
16. Washing windows without the window cleaner freezing on the glass before you can wipe it off.
17. Raking away the winter residue
18. The excitement of going into my garden each day to see what has bloomed
19. Popcorn popping on the apple tree
20. Going for Sunday walks with my family
21. Hanging Easter eggs on the front tree with my family.
March Madness and a little Momedy..
Welcome March! New month and a new season (technically) begins this month. The end is in sight. Hooray!
It's been a while since my blog post reflected my blog title, so this is a little survey that is doing the rounds. You interview your kids about you. I did all of mine separately so they would not influence each other's answers.
I love this photo because is it really representative of how they (usually) are together. They are so lucky.
The results were interesting. On many questions they came up with similar or identical answers (What's with the "Goodnight?" thing?)
On the strength of this questionnaire you might think I was the mother of Howard Hughes and his siblings, you would also think I worked in the library a lot when in fact I only volunteer at the school library, once a week. And you would also think I had a passion for salmon. Salmon is ok, I eat it because it's good for me, but I love lobster. I am in fact 33 and about 5'2. And now that McCain isn't running for President anymore, I don't think he is a moron.
(*For those not in the know, Benj is the oldest at age 10, Gabe is 8, Gracie is 7 and Finny is 4.)
Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen I give you... My kids. On me.
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Gracie: I love you
Benj: Good night
Benj: When the house is clean
5. What was your mom like as a child?
6. How old is your mom?
7. How tall is your mom?
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Some moms go to the pool to relax in the Summer, ours mops! Whooohooooo!
Gabe: You really like to take care of us
Mommy loves it when we maul her.
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Gabe: For being a great librarian and substitute teacher
Gracie:Cleaning
11. What is your mom really good at?
12. What is your mom not very good at?
13. What does your mom do for a job?
14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Gabe:Salmon
Gracie: Chocolate
15.What makes you proud of your mom?
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
17. What do you and your mom do together?
18. How are you and your mom the same?
19. How are you and your mom different?
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
21. What does your mom like most about your other parent?
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
23. What's the craziest thing your Mom has ever done?
24. What's the smartest thing your Mom has ever done?
