It’s one thing to agree that things run more smoothly when “we all work as a team”, it’s quite another to get everyone else as enthusiastic about the game plan 😉
The earlier you can encourage your kids to catch a vision for team work, obviously, the better. In fact, when they’re little, working is a privilege!
Yesterday I escorted my 3-year old boy to his room, shared by his older brother. Boys are interesting…you have to approach boy motivation from a “go in an tackle it” angle. Sometimes they are prone to distraction.
I walked him into his room where it is usually obvious to the female species what is wrong with the floor (like…you can’t see it?) So I began to point and excitedly give orders like we were in a race…”see those shoes–put them in your closet! Shirt–in the clothes hamper! Look at you work! Wow, Brooks, you are really great at cleaning your room!”
His face was beaming. It’s all in your excitement. Of course you’d be exhausted if you tried to keep that up, but you get my point! Tell them, show them, praise them.
Simple reminding is of vital importance in teaching children. If I say it once I say it ten times a day–“We are a team.” Positive brain-washing is a good thing 😉
Be sure to keep praising your older ones too…remind them of your appreciation, and the value they add to the family.
Feeling “a part” is one of the most basic human needs…and God has created a naturally beautiful opportunity for that within the context of the family!
2 comments
I laughed out loud when I read your description of how a young boy sees a messy room! It does get better–they just go through a period when they are thinking so hard that it gets in the way of what they are doing.
Gotta love ’em!
Sherry
I can definitely relate to this post since all I have is little boys. Just curious if you have tried chore charts, incentives, etc? How do your kids know what to do every day… do you verbally tell them or do they have a list?
I have tried the chore charts and they’ve been most effective of anything I have tried with my boys, but the problem is that I have not been consistent on my end. I used to spend a lot of time making fun, themed charts. Since my boys have been at school, we seem to be rushed all the time to get to school in the mornings and to get homework, family devotions, family reading time, supper, etc. In a lot of ways, I am looking forward to home-school!
Thanks!