One would think that after 17 years as a parent that I would have already tried this.  But no I haven't and Im sure that some people will be shocked.

I have always expected that when I say to do something that the kids will do it.  Well I guess we all hope for something that we don't always get!  One area I have always struggled with my kids, is taking care of the chores when I say to do them.  Usually it will eventually happen, but not in the time I am hoping for.  That and they argue about who was suppose to do something, why they have to be the one to do it, and plain, "I didn't know it was my turn."  So I decided that the first day of summer break was going to include a schedule, instead of sleep until I want, watch as much tv as I can, do only what I really want to do, I have made a chart.  My chart has all the chores that need to be done, and all the kids names on this chart.  We sat down and we talked about each chore and who wanted to do what.  Some of the things they were more then happy to do, some things I had to assign.  But I will say its working.  They know that the tv does not get to be turned on until the chores are done.  No Wii, no games on the computer, no spongebob, discovery channel, no history channel, no nothing with a screen untill its all done.  That mean everyone.  If Beckah gets done but the rest haven't, then there is still no screen.  If everyone but Raelynn is done, too bad, you have to wait.  That way they can either chip in and help their sibs, or they can have free time to do something creative or to read.  Of course the creativity is winning so far, but Im sure that when they get a want to play that Wii that they will start chipping in. 

I wish I would have thought of this years ago.  I guess I was always just skeptical.  I thought that it just looked good, not that it would work.  But either way I will continue and see what happens.  So stay tuned!!!

God Bless!!

Renee
Renee tillitz