For every season, check, check, check,
There is a chart, check, check, check,
And a chart can replace some of your nagging.
A chart for chores,
A chart for grades.
A chart for homework,
A chart for hygiene.
A chart for tracking tv.
A chart for everything....
I used to spend all of my seasons nagging. The song at our home used to sound like this: "Ron, did you brush your teeth? Joe, is your snack in your bookbag? Mike, are your gymclothes ready? Ash, have you done your reading log? Ron, did you finish your math? Ron, did you vacuum the living room? Joe, did you do your social studies? Joe, is the trash at the street? Mike, did you clean the bathroom? Ash, are the dishes put away? Ron, did you brush your teeth..."
We had no time of silence and no time of peace. The constant sound of my voice annoyed ME, and I know it annoyed my kids. Multiply four kids, eight daily responsibilities, about three reminders per task, and I was averaging close to 100 nags per day. Since we posted the chart, I only have to ask, "Is your chart done?" Even on bad days, nagging is only a fraction of what it was before.
During school, we have chores for daily work and charts for weekend work. In the summer we have a chore chart and a very popular television spreadsheet. The boys make their own charts for homework and grades. I also have charts for me; keeping up with what is required of me is hard to remember.
Charts can be prepared on a spreadsheet or word document with chores and tasks written. Visual learners may benefit from charts generated using pictures. Whatever the method, charts can provide a tangible reminder that will make the difference between a task being completed, left hanging, or forgotten.
Give every season a chart, and you may discover that it will help you find more time, including a time to speak of something besides chores and homework!
We have an Excel spreadsheet with examples of different types of charts that I'd be happy to send you. Send an email to goaskmom AT goaskmom.com and request this free resource.
Kayla Fay is the publisher of "Who Put the Ketchup in the Medicine Cabinet?" and "24 Hour Science Projects". She and her husband live in North Carolina with their four sons. Visit Kayla at http://www.goaskmom.com or http://www.goaskmom.com.
maid service near Lake Forest .."All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
Kitchens are where everything happens. It's not just where meals... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
Finding answers to a child's underachievement is often a difficult... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
Do you have a young child whose weight or eating... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy.... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
When you're a parent it's a difficult decision to know... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Parenting |