As this was the first Saturday morning in many weeks that four of us were home for a few hours at the same time, I set us up a plan to get some things done around here. And I made lists for everyone.
I am a natural, genetically-predisposed to list making. My mom has been making lists for as long as I can remember. They are wildly helpful, you know.
So for each of the kids, I made a checklist of all the chores that they were facing today. Many were the regular Saturday chores, but they each got a few more than normal just because it was the first day of summer vacation and they aren't tired enough to be grumpy about it yet. Plus, Genius Golfer went out early and bought donuts and chocolate milk. His donation is the bribe.
Somehow, when the kids see the chores on the paper and they can check them off the list, I think they are happier to do them. Well, "happier" might not be the exact word for it, but they are less likely to whine. Plus, as an added bonus, when I make the list and they do the chores and check them off, I am more likely to feel satisfied with their efforts at the end too. Maybe it is something visual about seeing the list checked off.
Whatever it is, I have no problems with them playing with friends for the rest of the afternoon (The Boy's plan) or heading off to work and then meeting friends at the pool (The Girl's plan) or playing in a tournament today (GG's plan, nearly every weekend).
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