One outfit a day. They can get on dress up clothes, but if those are found laying around, they’re mine. Half of the issue is them changing outfits 10 times a day and clothes ending up in every corner of this house. OK – I’m done venting now. What in the world does my rampage have to do with diligence? Well, when the kids make a disaster, it takes a lot of diligence to clean it up. Every one of our “I Will” statements this week can and should be applied to their clean up process. I want them to concentrate, do it completely and correctly, finish what they’ve started and follow instructions. Easy enough, right? Ha! Part of teaching them to do it completely and correctly is setting the expectations. I’m trying to help them gain a bit more independence in this area. So, I thought I would put together a way to do one of my tips of the day last week, which was, “Make a Check List for Cleaning.” Since they are young and only Abby is reading a bit, I made it visual so that it would be useful for both of them. Hopefully, it may help them to have some guidelines. I was up in their room with helping them walk through what it means to be diligent in getting a job done right. This visual check list helps. I was thinking I might laminate it or put it in a sheet protector. If you trust your kids, you could even have a erase pen so they could mark things off.
Day #122 Diligence in Cleaning Up & Printable – Character Development, Week #18
One outfit a day. They can get on dress up clothes, but if those are found laying around, they’re mine. Half of the issue is them changing outfits 10 times a day and clothes ending up in every corner of this house. OK – I’m done venting now. What in the world does my rampage have to do with diligence? Well, when the kids make a disaster, it takes a lot of diligence to clean it up. Every one of our “I Will” statements this week can and should be applied to their clean up process. I want them to concentrate, do it completely and correctly, finish what they’ve started and follow instructions. Easy enough, right? Ha! Part of teaching them to do it completely and correctly is setting the expectations. I’m trying to help them gain a bit more independence in this area. So, I thought I would put together a way to do one of my tips of the day last week, which was, “Make a Check List for Cleaning.” Since they are young and only Abby is reading a bit, I made it visual so that it would be useful for both of them. Hopefully, it may help them to have some guidelines. I was up in their room with helping them walk through what it means to be diligent in getting a job done right. This visual check list helps. I was thinking I might laminate it or put it in a sheet protector. If you trust your kids, you could even have a erase pen so they could mark things off.
Hi Jodi,
I wanted to share with you what works in my house when it comes time to picking up toys or clothe. We allow the kids to play with their toys, of course our house looks like a tornado hit it. But when they are ready to move on to the next activity lets say, go outside or play a board game or even to just watch some TV. We say not until the toys are picked up. At the beginning they threw fits, cried and said not. But we did not move on until they were picked up. We sometimes tell them ok we will help you, you pick these and I will pick these. Than they are more willing to pick them up. The same things goes for their room, I tell them that it is a mess and when they are done playing we need to clean up. I help them, but what matters to me is that they are also picking up their things. Now I have started a new thing when taking a bath, when they undress in the bathroom clothe is always on the floor. I would pick them up and take them to each basket, but now I tell each kid to please take their clothe to their baskets before they can get in the bath tub to play.
Sorry so long 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It’s really helpful to hear your ideas. I think I need to be more diligent at not moving on until the first thing is picked up AND be more willing to get in there and do it with them. I do a lot of the time and then just get fed up. Actually, sometimes I’ll say they can’t do anything until the upstairs is picked up. I send them upstairs and don’t see them for the rest of the day…lol. OK – So, nothing gets picked up upstairs, but the kitchen looks awfully clean by the end of the day. The bathroom littered with clothes is another thing, and I’ve totally started doing this since you mentioned it, and it’s making a world of difference in there. Thank you, thank you.
I absolutely ADORE your blog! (from tumblr!) I will for sure use your tips and activities once this little one safetly arrives! I told all my friends about your awesome blog. Thanks for sharing all of your tips and tricks!
Thank you so much for following and sharing my blog with others. I think I know who this is from tumblr because I follow you too there and know about your upcoming baby. I’m excited for you to go through the joys and challenges of parenting. It’s refining. Blessings!
Great ideas. Was wondering where you got the white bunk beds in the pic above? We are looking for some for our girls and those are really cute looking! Thanks!
We bought the bunk beds about 2 years ago at Kmart. They were inexpensive but have held up nicely. Looks like they still carry it – http://www.kmart.com/essential-home-twin-size-white-bunk-bed/p-9990000004068211P