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MichelleW
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| Posted: Aug 16 2007 at 1:08pm | IP Logged
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I don't know how I let this happen, but my children are careless with chores/school/things and they take FOREVER to accomplish anything. This has almost completely burned me out on school and this summer has not been any better. We can't really do anything because by the time they finish their chores most of the day is gone. How do a get a handle on this? I know I can't do school with this attitude, I have tried so many things and now I am in a panic because school is in just a few weeks and I was counting on this summer to "reset" us and it hasn't. Sorry about the run-on sentences. I need help.
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Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
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Theresa
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Laying Down The Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook
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Theresa
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wahoo92
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| Posted: Aug 16 2007 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
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I have dawdlers, too. Here is one thing that has worked for us in the chores department. My two oldest girls (6 and 9) have a list of chores that are dependent on the day of the week, M-F. As you stated the chores would sometimes take until mid-morning or later to get accomplished. Unlike other areas where we have used it with great success, Habit Training per Miss Mason had had some affect, but not as much as I would have liked.
Mid-summer I divided the chores into two groups for each child, each day. Those with a star need to be done immediately upon getting up before anything else can happen. These are things like making bed, brushing hair, feeding the dog, taking recycables to garage, etc. All are quick and easy (except maybe the hair).
The other chores are left to be done later in the day when there is a break from school (during school days) or before playing on other days. So, no playing until chores are done. If we need to leave the house, we do knowing that all immediate needs for the house are met and then the other chores are done when we return. These chores would be things like bathroom cleaning, porch cleaning, taking trash out, mopping floors, etc. All of the things that take longer.
I cannot tell you how this has revolutionized our mornings. In practice it really is not much different than what we had done previously. But, the presentation is different and I'm not running around barking at them to "hurry up so we can eat breakfast and start our day."
Good luck.
Sarah
Mom to Ellie, 9, Madeline, 6, and Lucy, 3
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Red Cardigan
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| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 5:21pm | IP Logged
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I saw this thread earlier this week and meant to comment but forgot.
I think dawdling and carelessness show up from time to time in all families, hs or not, but it is especially hard for hs moms to deal with it, esp. with setting deadlines for chores or schoolwork to be finished and sticking to them.
I like Sarah's suggestion above, and also wanted to share a little idea I'm going to implement this year.
Like most people I get LOTS of fund raising letters from Catholic orders, companies, organizations etc (and we can't give to all, but I try to pray for all these good groups!). Sometimes these come with little "extras" in the envelope; I've gotten rosaries, medals, holy cards etc. I used to just hand them out when they'd arrive, but for this school year I took a little box, wrote "Good Behavior Rewards" on it, and started putting in some of the nicer fund raising enclosures: a miraculous medal necklace, and a keychain, so far. My girls are very curious about what's in the box, and can't wait to start earning these things (and I may add to the rewards when I place orders with religious catalogs, too).
I plan on awarding these items for diligence, timeliness in completing chores/schoolwork, and for school work that rises above and beyond the normal standard; hopefully this will create some additional motivation to do their best.
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http://www.redcardigan.blogspot.com
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MarilynW
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MichelleW wrote:
| I don't know how I let this happen, but my children are careless with chores/school/things and they take FOREVER to accomplish anything. This has almost completely burned me out on school and this summer has not been any better. We can't really do anything because by the time they finish their chores most of the day is gone. How do a get a handle on this? I know I can't do school with this attitude, I have tried so many things and now I am in a panic because school is in just a few weeks and I was counting on this summer to "reset" us and it hasn't. Sorry about the run-on sentences. I need help. |
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Michelle - I could have written your post. I an postpartum and with nursing and lack of sleep - I am not as good at correcting right away. Right now I am setting timers, offering incentives etc. Trying to get the balance between doing it quickly and doing it well. The attitude thing is upsetting me. I am just praying a lot.
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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AnaB
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I could have written this too. It seems like the older my children get, the worse they become in this area. It is almost 2pm and my 11 yr old is just NOW finishing her morning chores. We haven't started school yet! I'm praying for creativity and discernment from the Lord in this. I hate becoming a drill sergeant and having to bark out orders so much. It becomes so draining for me to yell, and I think the children just learn to tune me out.
One thing that the Lord has put on my heart, that the children take any time that I'm on the computer as an excuse to not do their work. I may have to cut out computer time for me till the evening. But then my dh is home and needing the computer. I do long for the simplicity and productivity of our days before the internet, but I also enjoy and crave the fellowship, learning, and sometimes escape that the internet provides. I pray for balance. But the days when I'm not on the computer seem to go much more smoothly.
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His By Grace, AnaB blessed WIFE to Jeff and mama to 4 blessings!
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Carelessness and Dawdling
