Posted in Reviews

This is a "two fer" review.  I'm posting about two products from Trigger Memory Systems, Times Tales and the Clean N' Flip chore system for kids.  First up...Times Tales!

OK.  I'm just gonna come right out with it right away.  This is a five smiley product.  It's also going to be one of my shortest reviews.  Times Tales is SO COOL!!!  

The reason this is gonna be so short is because there really is no way to describe this product or how it works.  I can tell you that it involves using very short stories and illustrations to teach the more difficult times tables.  By that I mean the 3's, 4's, 6's, 7's, 8's, and 9's.  You really just have to trust me on this one! 

What are the pros of this product?

It works!!!  It works, and it works in as little as an hour or two!

What's not to like?

Hmmm...it works just the way it is, though I did tweek a few things a bit.  I mean just a tiny wee bit, and I didn't really have to.  I won't even try to explain because it wouldn't make sense until you use it. 

The Crazy Mom take:

I LOVE it!!!  I have to admit, I haven't been great at drilling my younger kids on their multiplication facts.  My nine-year-old didn't really know them at all.  I do have flash cards, but it does get busy around here... I guess I just hoped he'd learn them eventually just by using them in his math lessons.  THEN WE GOT TIMES TALES!!!  It worked!!!  He knew them almost instantly.  I am just thrilled!  My daughter did know most of her facts, but this helped her learn the ones she didn't know.  I mean she could always figure them out if she thought for a few seconds, but now she just knows them. AMAZING!!!

What's the bottom line?  $29.95

Like I said, Times Tales is getting 5 smileys!!! *

The second half of my review is about the Clean N' Flip chore system.  I liked these too, but my kids have been doing chores for so long, we have pretty much gotten past the need for something like this.  However, if you have younger kids, or are just getting them to do chores, this might be for you!

There are three available products:

Bedroom Cleaning for Kids

Zone Cleaning for Kids

Laundry for Kids

Now the idea behind these products is simple.  You do the step on the first page, flip to the next, do that step, flip again, and so on.  Kinda like checking off a to-do list but more colorful and fun!  The zone cleaning chart even comes with a dry erase marker so you can check things off as you do them, and you can even personalize it to fit your situation.

We did a test of the Bedroom Cleaning for Kids chart in my daughters' room.  Well, it's a lost cause, but I liked the system.  It is set up to clean the way I clean.  I like to put everything is a big pile in the middle of the room and then sort through it.  That way the rest of the room looks good and your work is all in one place, not spread all over the place.  This is a great system for a neat, semi-neat or even semi-messy kid.  However, my daughters have so much stuff that we never found the bottom of the pile before they had to go to bed!  LOL  This, however, is not a failure on the part of the system, but on me to get rid of stuff!  I could go on about that, but I won't!  LOL

Zone Cleaning for Kids covers the kitchen, the bathroom, and the living room.  Again, I like the way these are set up.  They use the same techniques that I usually do.  (When I am not doing Crazy Mom cleaning in a panic.)  I think a lot of kids just don't really know where to start, and having this Clean N' Flip keeps them on target.  (I have my own list in the bathroom and no matter how often I clean it, I refer to the list to keep me focused.)

Laundry for kids is obviously about laundry.  Now my son already has this down to a science (though he won't unscrunch dirty socks.)  This is probably my least favorite as laundry isn't all that difficult and the order kinda is built in. However, if your kid is motivated by flipping the pages, by all means, use it!  Whatever works!!!

What are the pros of this prodcut?

Everything is well organized.  The illustrations are colorful and the system makes cleaning seem fun!  They can even be used by kids who aren't reading yet.

What's not to like?

Well, eventually your kids will figure out they are really just cleaning!  LOL  I don't really see any real "cons."  I think you just have to determine if you or your kids are the types who are motivated by lists or charts.  We live by them here.  I would have really liked these years ago when we were still in training mode.  This is one of those things that you "could" do yourself.  You could just print out lists on the computer.  However, some kids are just more impressed with a more professional product. 

I probably would have added a few thing to some of the charts.  (I call them charts, because they are like flip charts.  They're not really charts, I guess, but I hope you know what I mean!)  Anyway, for example, I might have added check the pockets or put stain treatment on the stains on the laundry chart .  They are really rather simplified.  You could always tweek them if you had to.  I am the Queen of Tweek! 

What's the bottom line? The cost is $17.95 for the Zone Cleaning/$7.95 each for the Bedroom Cleaning and Laundry.  They have several ways you can combine them for more savings.

I am going to give Clean N' Flip 4 Smileys *

Check it out @ http://www.triggermemorysystem.com/

Check out what my fellow crew members have to say @

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/618686/

*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!