Sorry you haven't heard from me in a while. This mama got an awesome move-in deal and decided to pack up and move back to the O, Orlando.
Moving while 9 months pregnant may not have been the best idea. Everytime I bend over to unpack I get dizzy and the heavy belly makes me feel like a weeble wooble. Ha! Driving the Uhaul and getting folks to help...UG! That could be another post or an America's Funiest Home Video episode.
The place is lovely. Roomy bedrooms and huge closets. I like the area of town. Afforable for a single mom on a budget. Definitely proud of my find. All of us are more at peace. It's nice to have your own space to call home. The boys love their room and are so excited that they've been staying up late all week last week. I'm gona have to curb that asap.
My computer however has 9 toes in the grave. It's basically not usable right now. FYI: try not to put your pc in storage for an extended period of time. We're visiting grandma, my mom, and I'm on her computer. This week I will see if I can fix the computer, find someone who can, or get it done cheap. This was NOT in the summer budget. A new computer tower or laptop is definitely out until about September. *sigh* Just when the blog started coming together. But...we have a nice new place to live.
PS~11 days until my supposed Due Date! woo hoo!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share pt. 2
This is the second installment of Clean Up, Everybody Do Your Share. Key words "Everybody Do Your Share". In part one of 'Clean Up' we decided that the children should also be responsible for some of the up keep of the home. After all don't they make most of the mess? Once a routine is established this will lighten our load as caregivers.
We also concluded that having kids clean the house teaches them responsibility, appreciation and care for their surroundings, and self-pride in a job well done. Having kids do chores is highly recommended by most experts. As with most things the earlier you start the better.
I know you're thinking "I have a ___ year old it's hard to get him/her to do anything let alone clean up". Step one is to decide what the chores will be. Let's go over some possible things different ages can do. Give them time to attempt their assigned chores and decide which are developmentally appropriate for your child. NOTE: I said developmentally, as in can their bodies and minds handle the task not if they feel like doing the chore!
Ages 2 and under: At this stage it's better to lead by example and narrate what you are doing. Encourage your child to help you. Praise them for doing so. Remind child to put away toys before getting out another. This is usually practiced at most nursery school so they should be used to these instructions.
Ages 3-5: Again at this stage chores are more of a helping and learning experience. Remember-ALLOW them to help and eventually do most of the work!
--Help pick things up in a room, Put toys away, Help make their bed, Bring items from one room to another, Gather trash or bring smaller trash cans for you to empty into a larger one, hold dustpan while you sweep, clear plate into garbage after eating, clear/help clear table after family meal
Ages 6-8: Straighten and pick up, Make their bed everyday, Vacuum, Sweep, Clear table after meals, Load/unload dishwasher, Fold and/or put away laundry, Dust, Windex glass and mirrors, Use comet and scrubber to clean the bathtub
Ages 9-12: Kids this age are ready for more responsibility and they can physically do more advanced tasks. They also are more independent. They've probably lost the child-like enthusiasm of helping clean up. This is where the character building begins. Include them on the schedule making.
--Rake leaves, Learn to wash dishes, Clean the bathroom (more detailed), Let them make age appropriate meals (scrambled eggs, toast, sandwiches, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, etc)
Ages 13-18+: Kids this age are developmentally and physicaly ready for almost any chore we can do. Now is the time to emphasize habits they will take with them when they leave the nest. Hopefully by now they are in the swing of doing chores.
--Straighten and pick up (more detailed), Load/Unload dishwasher and/or Wash dishes in sink, Prepare simple complete meals (spaghetti, baked chicken/roast/pork chops-almost anything baked, lasagna, breakfast, etc.), Clean entire bathroom more detailed using various cleaners (comet for tub, tilex for shower, lysol for toilet and mopping floor), Operate washer/dryer-do laundry, Put away groceries, Mow lawn, help with yard work, Sweep outside house (like driveway and patio)
There we have it! Hopefully you'll sit down with this post and think of what your children can be assigned to do. This info from the Clean Up series can be helpful for just parents in general. For the non-parents out there reading the post this can also apply to HUSBANDS possibly even roommates! LOL LOL Because this post ran longer than expected stay tuned for parts three and four of 'Clean Up' where we will discuss making chore charts and online chore chart resources (pt. 3) and rewards systems and follow through (pt.4)
-Side note: The chores listed in an age group lower than your child's age may also be applied. For example a 15 year old can make his or her bed everyday just like a 7 year old can! Again it's up to you and what's best for your family.
We also concluded that having kids clean the house teaches them responsibility, appreciation and care for their surroundings, and self-pride in a job well done. Having kids do chores is highly recommended by most experts. As with most things the earlier you start the better.
I know you're thinking "I have a ___ year old it's hard to get him/her to do anything let alone clean up". Step one is to decide what the chores will be. Let's go over some possible things different ages can do. Give them time to attempt their assigned chores and decide which are developmentally appropriate for your child. NOTE: I said developmentally, as in can their bodies and minds handle the task not if they feel like doing the chore!
Ages 2 and under: At this stage it's better to lead by example and narrate what you are doing. Encourage your child to help you. Praise them for doing so. Remind child to put away toys before getting out another. This is usually practiced at most nursery school so they should be used to these instructions.
Ages 3-5: Again at this stage chores are more of a helping and learning experience. Remember-ALLOW them to help and eventually do most of the work!
--Help pick things up in a room, Put toys away, Help make their bed, Bring items from one room to another, Gather trash or bring smaller trash cans for you to empty into a larger one, hold dustpan while you sweep, clear plate into garbage after eating, clear/help clear table after family meal
Ages 6-8: Straighten and pick up, Make their bed everyday, Vacuum, Sweep, Clear table after meals, Load/unload dishwasher, Fold and/or put away laundry, Dust, Windex glass and mirrors, Use comet and scrubber to clean the bathtub
Ages 9-12: Kids this age are ready for more responsibility and they can physically do more advanced tasks. They also are more independent. They've probably lost the child-like enthusiasm of helping clean up. This is where the character building begins. Include them on the schedule making.
--Rake leaves, Learn to wash dishes, Clean the bathroom (more detailed), Let them make age appropriate meals (scrambled eggs, toast, sandwiches, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, etc)
Ages 13-18+: Kids this age are developmentally and physicaly ready for almost any chore we can do. Now is the time to emphasize habits they will take with them when they leave the nest. Hopefully by now they are in the swing of doing chores.
--Straighten and pick up (more detailed), Load/Unload dishwasher and/or Wash dishes in sink, Prepare simple complete meals (spaghetti, baked chicken/roast/pork chops-almost anything baked, lasagna, breakfast, etc.), Clean entire bathroom more detailed using various cleaners (comet for tub, tilex for shower, lysol for toilet and mopping floor), Operate washer/dryer-do laundry, Put away groceries, Mow lawn, help with yard work, Sweep outside house (like driveway and patio)
There we have it! Hopefully you'll sit down with this post and think of what your children can be assigned to do. This info from the Clean Up series can be helpful for just parents in general. For the non-parents out there reading the post this can also apply to HUSBANDS possibly even roommates! LOL LOL Because this post ran longer than expected stay tuned for parts three and four of 'Clean Up' where we will discuss making chore charts and online chore chart resources (pt. 3) and rewards systems and follow through (pt.4)
-Side note: The chores listed in an age group lower than your child's age may also be applied. For example a 15 year old can make his or her bed everyday just like a 7 year old can! Again it's up to you and what's best for your family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
