If I had to “get it all done” by myself, it would never BE all done. I am simply one little person, in a household of 11.

I begin training the children to do chores very young. As soon as they have their second birthday they are added to the chore lists, starting with simple things, like folding washcloths or feeding the cats. I also allow them to experiment in the kitchen at a very young age (with supervision at first, of course). Let them cook while they are interested. Don’t shoo children out of the kitchen. Yes, we have had our share of burned cookies and mystery casseroles that no one really finds palatable, but the creators of these mishaps have learned from their mistakes and can eventually cook a full-course meal by themselves.

It all pays off. I vividly remember Thanksgiving of 2005. I was in bed with a TERRIBLE migraine, and thinking Thanksgiving was ruined. In reality, to my surprise, my three oldest children had taken the initiative to prepare the entire Thanksgiving meal by themselves, even down to setting the table!

As far as accountability, the most important person to be accountable to (besides God) is oneself. I have a mom binder, appropriately named “Mama’s Little Attempt at Sanity”. In it I keep chore lists, “to do” lists, library book lists, a calendar, menus, shopping lists, lesson plans, etc. Everything in one place to keep me from getting frazzled. If I get off-track I know I need only look in my binder to see what needs to be done. I view it this way: if I worked outside the home, and my boss told me that these are the things which need to be done today, I’d make sure they got done. After all, my job would depend on it. How much more important is our job, as mothers, than any outside job would be? We know what needs to be done. Write it down and consider it to be as important as if it were from “the boss”.

And the most important at all – the key to maintaining motivation is REWARD! Everyone likes to be rewarded for a job well done. For the children and their chores, I award points and demerits for their jobs. At the end of the week they use their points to draw from “the prize basket”. For me, at the end of the day, when all is accomplished, I may reward myself with a couple hours of tv, or watch a movie. At the end of the week, I may reward myself by indulging in something delectable — something CHOCOLATE!

Okay, I guess this got a bit long, but I suppose to summarize, I don’t believe someone can “get it all done” alone. It needs to be a team effort with family, acountability is a great motivator, and rewards serve as a good incentive to keep up the good work!

The encouragement part in this would be:
Remember, it’s not going to happen overnight…but it will happen!

Ai Boon

Anyway — I am one of those OLD OVERWHELMED MOMS! lol My best advice is just to NOT beat yourself up over every little thing! Do not expect perfection when you have children in the house. And always know that time spent with your children always outweighs a gorgeously clean house!

I aim for a comfortable home, not one where you can eat off the floors!

And for the things that do need to get done, make yourself a list, break it down into small, manageable parts, and find things for the kids to do along with you, no matter what their age! (I waited far too long to do this myself!)

I will most definitely be linking back to your post in my next entry Sandi! Look for it tonight!

Hugs to you and that sweet baby Hazel! (and to all the little men too!)

Sherry