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.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Once upon a time, I thought I had it all.... Read More
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comLegacy to Your ChildrenIt's 6:30... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence.... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
Potty training fears, often called toilet terrors, are common among... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
I was changing Ford's diaper the other day when he... Read More
Many years ago, my children were raised on the various... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Would you like your child to be the best that... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More
As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
Using 14 "at" Flashcards To Teach Reading:This exercise helps your... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
Well first off, please to don't institute the ? hour... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More
After giving up my profession to become a wife, a... Read More
1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
I'm sure many of you have heard that old Hallmark... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
During the assessment process it is of great importance for... Read More
I used to have a really challenging job. It was... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
Parenting |