Taming Morning Chaos, Kid's Chores + then some... as seen on AMNW

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Hey Mamas, You don't have to do EVERYTHING! 

The kidlets are fully capable of getting ready for school and out the door on time. They just need some guidance. So sit back have a cup of joe and watch the kidlets run out the door... 

Ok, who am I kidding. It takes practice+ you to guide them. My segment has some helpful tips but you'll need to bring the bull horn ;)

Here's my worksheet for creating Kid's Routines: Download KIDSROUTINES.SCHOOLAGE The small message board can be placed in their room or on their bathroom mirror as a reminder of what to do + when to do it.

 

The Kidlets are also FULLY CAPABLE of helping piece together their lunch...

 

LUNCH THOUGHTS: 

Have your child identify which days they want school lunch...
Our school sends home a monthly printout. I have my daughter circles the meals she likes.

Kids don't mind eating the SAME lunch everyday...
I think we put all sorts of unnecessary pressure on ourselves to create clever + cute meals. Get over it sister...

Have the kids prep their lunch...
Grapes can be washed + placed in the containers + stored in the lowest refrigerator drawer. I also place cheese sticks + their snacks in this 'kid drawer'.

Goldfish/Ritz/Raisins etc can be sorted into the reusable containers or snack bags for the entire week. These can be stored together in a 'for school lunch' container.

I make Peanut Butter + Honey/Jelly sandwiches for the week and freeze them in the plastic containers shown in the above pic.

Puttin' it all together...
Lunches can be pieced together by the kidlets- just tell them to do it, but spend a week guiding them through the process. "hey kidlet.. grab a sandwich, juice box, grape container + cracker container, place them in your lunch box... have a great day!"

 Our New Chore Boards! Products from Craft Warehouse

Chores:

I was caught off-guard by the fact that my kidlets actually wanted chores + haven't complained 'yet' about doing them. Together we brainstormed what they could do to help around the house. I like the word "Contribute" so I used that a lot during our chat- meaning no money will be attached to their chores.

We visited the craft store...
Because I know that 'people tend to support what they help to create' so the kidlet's picked out the paper used to cover their magnet board. They helped glue the DO and DONE onto the clear stones. Then they wanted to show their friends what they made :)
1. Frame, Magnetic 12x12 square, scrap book paper, magnets. Remove glass,place paper, magnetic board in the frame. Add magnets +  chores!

Management...
I decided to switch out their chores monthly because I don't want to try to remember who's day it is to do what. #paininthea$$

Chore items...
I wanted the children to learn how to fully complete a task- for example if they are responsible for taking out the trash cans they are also the person to gather all the trash within the house and place it in the big trash can. They load and unload the dishwasher. The American Picker boys would call this bundling ;)

 

Cheers to a wonderful + less chaotic school year!
Krista

 

 

Comments

[Bonnie Hern]

this is the area we struggle with the most in our house so I love this!! the download will not open for me though and I wonder if it is available in any other format? word doc maybe?

[krista colvin]

Hi Bonnie, I used Word 07.... do you think your computer blocked it as a pop up? If not... email me and I'll try to send in a different version~
Cheers! k

[Jackie]

Hi Kristen, I LOVE your blog. The morning routine is a big struggle for us..getting out the door as I also have to get to work. I also couldn't open your link...it downloaded all kinds of backup type documents. Could you email to me, or repost. Many thanks :-)

[Leslie]

I love the "kids pick their own paper" part to make it their own! I think we'll take a field trip to Michaels this weekend! Thanks Krista, love your blog.