So do you ever feel overwhelmed by everything that you need to get done each day? Well, I figured out the answer. KIDS!
It started at an early age. It was all about getting Max to pick up his toys. Yes, we used the silly Barney song that is wayyyyy tooo catchyyyy. You don't even have to have watched the show to know the song it seems. Maggie is slowly learning to put away toys but is not as eager as Max. I believe this is because she bats her eyes and he puts them away. HA. No she just pretends like she doesn't understand english anymore and runs into the other room, at which point, Max kind of looks around and says, 'alright, I will put away the toys.' The only way she understands putting away toys or doing other unpleasant to her things is through manipulation. Okay I know that sounds bad but we are trying to get her to understand that Casa Ongbongan isn't a free ride. She has to contribute to receive. lol.
For Max, life has progressed to him having daily chores. I love these chores because they involve the care of our dog Bubba. Max is the one to feed him and let him in and out of the house. Maggie wants to take on the feeding chore and tries to get her hands in his food any chance she can so that Bubba will love her more! Max gets the newspaper in the morning and yes I have had to tell him before that wearing clothes is important when he goes to the front of our house. He likes to make me nervous and stay outside to watch the ants climbing in and out of our garbage can. (hmm, maybe I should be calling the pest control guy!) He empties what he can in the dishwasher. I know I am such a mean mama, but I will turn him into someone's good husband! I don't think my mom started us quite this early but heck the sooner they learn, the less I will have to do! And you know, they say it is good to give kids ownership so they can feel proud of what they accomplish.
Don't get me wrong, I believe they should play to and have fun but there has to be some balance so they can learn responsibility and respect.
For Max's accomplishments, he gets to choose to watch tv and choose to play on the computer or spend one on one time with one of his parents. Maggie hasn't quite gotten the whole rewards thing but we will work on that.
Hey, do you want to come over and help me teach Michael how to pick up his toys? He also seams to have forgotten how to speak English when I want him to do something.
ReplyDelete