This conversation all started because they were commenting on how much washing/housework I must have to do. Yes, there is lots of washing and housework and finger prints and toys and books and dirt and dishes and mess and enough food on the floor to feed another family...but we won't go into that right now!
I am thankful I have such great kids to help me out and can help carry the load of keeping our house in order. Now that some of the kids are getting a little older it is wonderful that they can reach things - like the washing line- and can even take clothes off for me! Woo hooo!
As I was talking I was remembering that I have been really exhausted lately on Monday nights and I think for our last one I even spent most of the time laying on the floor with a pillow! Well this chat motivated me to start getting back into my normal routine. Thanks Ladies.
As the mother of the home and the 'personal trainer' on most things cleaning and organising (I say MOST because Matt is wonderful at helping out at this too and he generally has more free time to teach things or so it seems), around here I generally take this training seriously. I like to use a little time on our family night to teach a new skill.
Some of these 'skill training' moments have been lots of fun. It is also one of the few times that I have everyone's attention and I can get them all together at the same time and they know they need to listen or no treat! Well, I say that sometimes but everyone always gets to have some of the treat...bit of a softy on family night!
Anyway, some of the things that I have done to teach the kids are:
Learning to fold a tea towel or face washer - I found this is great to start the kids off as it is a lot smaller than a bath towel and they can practice folding it over so that the edges touch and we talk about it being a square shape or rectangle.
Folding a bath towel - Once they have mastered the tea towel I then have taught them how to fold a bath towel in half length ways and how to hang it on the rail in the bathroom. Now just remember here they are little kids and the first couple of times it does not have to be hung straight, just hanging on the rail.
Setting the table - My kids learn this one early - even my 2 year olds can put a fork and knife on the table, crooked but on the table.
Making a bed - Straightening out the blankets to begin with and then learning how to change a bed.
Brushing teeth - Trying to learn to brush teeth for 2 minutes
Learning what a wash basket is - This may sound silly but I find as parents we forget that we take the names of items around the house for granted. Our children need to be taught what they are called. I do this to try to stop all the clothes left on the floor!
Sweeping the floor - Sweeping the kitchen floor is actually a difficult skill to learn. I teach the children the process of sweeping under the table and the importance of creating a pile.
Using a dustpan and broom - This is great for younger kids as it is just the right size for them to hold and they can start by cleaning up the mess they make themselves!
Answering the phone - I teach them what I would like them to say and not what I would like them to say (mum is on the toilet doing a poo! haha!). I teach them to speak clearly and to ask people to call back if needed.
Answering the door - We teach our children that they are not to answer the door until an adult is with them. We have even organised someone to come over to trick them to test to see if they will follow our instructions to keep them safe.
Doing up buttons
Using a knife and fork
and many more...
You can also use this time to teach how to put on socks, put on shoes, tie shoe laces, brush hair, tie hair back and how to dress appropriately.
I want my kids to grow up independent and responsible. To be able to take care of themselves and their future families. Yes, it does take a lot of effort and planning and patience but the results are wonderful. Children who are motivated and happy and getting themselves organised gives me so much free time to do the things that I want to do.
We still have a long way to go around here but now that I am getting back on track I hope to see some sensational results.
Does anyone have any other great ideas to teach your kids?
I don't have any ideas, but I sure was inspired by yours. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewow Naomi, you are such a involved and thoughtful Mother. I would never have thought to do any one of those things for family night. Thank you for sharing, I'm definately going to start doing those things with my children. The best one we have had was about gratitude. We made a treasure box, and talked to the children about the blessings and gifts they have received this week. we gave the little ones stickers to play with, and helped them write down their ideas to put into the treasure box. They were thankful for things like: School, clothes, food, family, etc. It was a great way to think about how much God has blessed us and get the kids involved. I'm thinking about making it a permanent thing in the house, to have a gratitude treasure box. That's about it!
ReplyDeleteHi Naomi,
ReplyDeleteIt's Brenda here from Aussie Mummy Bloggers ( a place where Australian mummy and parenting bloggers can get together
to share ideas and stories). I just wanted to extend a personal invitation to you to join our group.
Here's the link:
http://aussiemummybloggers.ning.com/
See you there.
PS. I think you are an awesome mum!
I think this is great! As a teacher, I've seen what happens on camp when kids don't know some of these things (including eating without cutlery). These are all simple life skills that we somtimes forget to teach our kids but later expect them to know. I know I teach my daughter these things, but I think I am going to be more mindful about it now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBlessings Naomi!
ReplyDeleteWe have in our place a "Family Meeting" we air all our issues, big or small, we talk about each persons responsibility, we talk about goals. This happens every couple of weeks to catch up.
Each night we all sit down and talk about the day, each person asks one other a question and we get to learn a little about each others day.
There are only 3 of us, but it's still important to me that we connect in these moments.
~K
Wow, that's great! I think I will want to implement this... but I am curious - how old was your oldest when you started doing it? My oldest is only 2, and at the moment family night consists of a few minutes talking about a gospel subject using the gospel art kit and some songs... She loves to help, and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to be able to 'do' some of these things :)
ReplyDelete