Well folks, I've figured a few things out.
1. I like a plan
2. I like efficiency
3. I LOVE for my family to like these things too!
Joe and I sat down before school started back up again after the New Year and we formed a PLAN - a GOOD PLAN!
I am just going to pat us on the back for a bit because IT IS WORKING!
All thanks to a few Christmas Presents that we have now found to be our children's "Currency".
I don't know how else to explain it - but if the chance of missing out on the opportunity to PLAY either of these devices is at stake, well, the kids just get things together and obey! Imagine that!
So, my (our) first resolution for the new year was to END the "Time to Go NOW!" announcement (ok, yelling!) every school day at 7:55am.
And so far, so good!
I'll explain our genious idea (well, until this currency no longer motivates!)
One of the most time saving, significant changes/additions for our kids was they THEY pack their own lunch the night before, set out their shoes and coat the night before and they choose their outfit the night before....these concepts were all suggested and tried many a time in previous months, but now they are REQUIRED!
The OTHER good switch was that they have their alarms set and wake up on their own and get dressed in uniforms before coming down to eat breakfast....that 7:25am check mark has been a HUGE help with RESPONSIBILITY and EFFICIENCY!
The checklist (right above) has been a part of our routine all school year - I say "Are we ready?" instead of ....did you brush? where is your lunch? where are your shoes?....it was an effective way to get out the door with the bigs taking responsibility for THEIR stuff - and let's just say, the day the backpack was forgotten...well that NEVER happened again! (Morgan must have been asked by 15 kids at pick-up line - where's your back pack? and she HAD to answer - "I forgot it!" - How embarassing!) :)
The dry erase board is the NEW and IMPROVED format for a good, easy, no yelling, morning routine. And it's working great! The "penalty" row is for bad choices towards each other and that means losing minutes of Wii over the weekend. There are 3 check points throughout the morning that the kids put on the dry erase board themselves once they get the particular things done. IF they miss a check - they miss 10 minutes of TV upon arrival home. The focus on the TIME and NOT the sibling has been a huge benefit! (competition has no place in this house at 7:30am!)
The EPad is the bonus for getting out the door at 7:55am - 20 minutes after homework is done after school - it's been awesome. Jameson, who is 3 and doesn't really "get" this yet, but follows along pretty well, GETS when he loses his minutes - he knows it's best just to obey.
I like that our kids don't feel entitled to TV or the Wii or the Epad - they know it's earned, it's a privelage and there are choices they make that allow them to have or lose their opportunity to have any of these technologies.
For now, it's a succss story....but, we've only been in school 3 days :)
Now for MY RESOLUTION:
I am going to READ!
I am going to fill my mind with life giving, healthy, encouraging, motivating words and concepts.
My dad got me an Epad and I have already read 3 books on my Kindle App within the Tablet. It's been awesome!
This year, I want to be an ECOURAGER.
I want to write notes to people who need to hear HOPE.
I want to PRAY often and HEAR from my Encourager.
I want to SERVE in the way God has called me to Serve.
I want to GROW in relationship with others.
I want to BUILD our family, along with my husband, with intentionality and Purpose.
I want to SEE God move in amazing ways - and that only happens when my eyes are open and focused on Him.
I want to EQUIP others grow.
I want to TEACH others to lead.
Last year, I had lots of resolutions that only lasted about 6 months..or less...when we could not figure out what was wrong with our baby boy, well, it took me out of things. It TOOK OVER things. And I never got back on track.
Some of the books in my box are from LAST YEAR that I never read! And that very well may happen again!
Some, I'm reading AGAIN because they were so GOOD for me to read!
But I am encouraged by how my heart is LONGING to hear God. To Serve God. To Be His hands and feet! This is not just by chance....I am being tapped on the shoulder...He is pulling and I am letting go!
I am excited to see what is in store for my life, my family, my relationships!
Here's to 2013! It's going to be an amazing year!
