A Marine’s wife I know says that one of her husband’s favorite slogans is, "Don’t expect what you aren’t willing to inspect." If it is true for grown men, then it might be applied to little children as well.
If the goal is neatly made beds, then inspecting the beds each morning is critical--especially in the training phase or "boot camp". Catching problems quickly and not allowing sloppy habits to form pays off.
We wouldn’t dream of neglecting to review a first grader’s math assignments until the end of the year. With consistent feedback and evaluation, mistakes compound leaving the child overwhelmed and confused. Despite this knowledge, I forget to be diligent in inspecting in many areas.
Recently we realized that our toddler was getting away with too much, as the children often played in a room on the other side of the house. Reorganizing things to provide a play area nearer the hub of our home allows me to catch him more immediately when he first reaches for mischief and better train him to stop his impetuous impulses rather than indulge them. Consistent, diligent inspection–staying involved in the process is one of my areas to work on this year, as I train my Marines children.
Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.
