Kids want to help, if you show them how.

Now that everyone is settling back in the school routine, it might be time for some changes.

I find myself getting so caught up in my daily rhythm I don’t even think that there might be a smarter way of doing things. Not until I am so swamped I fall over in bed, sleeping before my head touches the pillow. Funny how taking one step back, looking at the grander scope of things, always tends to help.

The boys are now back in school and one thing that makes a huge difference is their help. As a mom, often you don’t realize the kids have many resources and actually want to help but don’t know how. Spend a week or two to teach them, and you are set for life. Teach them that clean socks do not just come down from the sky, and that joint effort in the home is the best and only way. Our biggest task as parents is to show our children all the different aspects of life, which includes folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher.

For me, I started with small tasks when the boys were 4 and 6 years old. Things like: take your dishes to the sink after dinner, put your shoes and jacket in the right place, and just clean up after yourself. Then it evolved to: empty the dishwasher, empty the garbage, clean the toilet and vacuum. As the tasks evolve, they get older, and the reward gets bigger. I started out small with letting the boys decide what we had for dinner on Saturday if they completed all their chores that week. We even made the meal together (and then they helped with the dishes afterwards, of course). With boys, I’ve noticed that it’s always a competition.  For them, it became a contest of who got the best score (who completes the most chores). When they got older, around 7 years old, I gave them allowance, but only if they finished their chores. I rated them on Sunday and if they did extra well on every task and got all green smileys, then they could spend the money. The trick is not to make it too easy. Be a fair judge—not a soft mom. Otherwise the system does not work. 

How are you making your kids help out?

 

Here is an example of what could be on your fridge next week;

 

Fun with Chestnuts

 

 

Chestnuts are for more than just roasting! Here is an awesome gift idea (maybe for Halloween) or just for fun anytime.

When you get a minute or two, go outside with your kids in search of a chestnut tree. Gather as many chestnuts as you can (be sure to bring something to carry them in)! These little gems make a nice fall decoration in your favorite bowl, or if you wish to do an activity with the kids, take a couple of toothpicks or matches, a small screwdriver or any object with a sharp point, and get creative.

You can really make them look like anything. Put toothpicks in one to connect it to another. Draw on them with sharpies or paint, decorate them with yarn or pipe cleaners—the sky is the limit. Try and crack them to see what is inside. You can even use the broken shells for decorations too. You can make different animals with them, like caterpillars or a cat or dog, or make a spider for someone special for Halloween. Check out my pictures for some ideas—my kids and I love doing this together!

 

How to make the spider web:

You will need; scissors, toothpicks, yarn, chestnut, paperclips, pointy object (screwdriver) and a nipper.

You take the chestnut and poke a small hole in the shell, that allows you to attach the toothpick. Now you can make what ever creature or shape you like. The spider on the picture is made with 8 toothpicks spread out. Attach yarn to the picks and circle it around each pick in the same direction each time. You leave a foot of string for it to hang in. When you change colors you make a knot on the backside with the color yarn you just did and continue till the toothpicks are covered with yarn. Shape the paper clips as legs and cut them into the right size with the nipper. Polk 6 small holes for the legs and attach the 6 paperclips legs. If you would like you can draw a face on it with some leftover paint or sharpies. A perfect gift for someone special.  

 

 

 

Happy Halloween with a BOO.

I have to brag for a minute. We live in the greatest neighborhood! Everyone takes care of each other, and it is a nice mix of young and old, with plenty of kids for my children to play with. This morning we got up and there was a nice surprise by the door. WE GOT BOO’ed. This means some of our friends played ghost and got us a little bag with treats and left it by the door. It is a warm and fun-filled gesture that people do around Halloween. The best part of getting BOO’ed is that we don’t know who did it, so we just have to guess! 

How to BOO someone:
Check out the photos of what my door looked like. All you have to do is print out the instructions sheet and the picture of the ghost. Select two or more people you would like to “BOO” and make them a small bag with treats you know they will appreciate. The fun thing is you can make it simple and draw a cute picture, or even make bracelets to put in the bag. Or, you can just run to the store and get candy, healthy treats or Halloween-themed items. It’s all up to you! Place it in a bag with a copy of the instruction sheet inside and a copy of the ghost picture.

You then place the bag at the front door of the people you want to “BOO”. Make sure they don’t see you! You can even have the kids dress up in their costumes when you go and “BOO” so if your friends do see you, you are in disguise. When you are the one who got BOO’ed, place the picture of the ghost on your front door—this lets people know that you have already been BOO’ed, so others can have the opportunity to experience the same fun.

Please stay safe and have fun with it!

Print out the two images by right clicking on them and select "print target". Then start to BOO your friends!

Here is our treat:
This is what we got in the bag of treats from our friends or neighbor. I wonder who played a BOO on us? The boys and I keep guessing. . .