How do you organize your children?

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kellie0901
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
How do you organize your children?
10
 Mon, 01-09-2012 - 2:36pm

Boy I am really failing in the organization department lately. No matter how much I try, morning is always complete chaos at our house, resulting in me losing my temper. :smileyfrustrated:

Kellie
My So Called Green Life

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cmkellie
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2008
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Thu, 01-12-2012 - 5:11pm
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nathanielsmom110100
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 9:58pm
This week I started the no TV until you are dressed and you have helped me pack your lunch. So far so good.

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kellie0901
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 7:41pm
Ah that's a good idea. Maybe having them do the same things at the same time would help. I was also thinking of having them get dressed before they came out of their rooms in the morning.

Kellie
My So Called Green Life

kellie0901
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 7:39pm
LOL Heather. I feel the same way!

Kellie
My So Called Green Life

kellie0901
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 7:39pm
theresa1107 wrote:

My other help is the "no tv/no video games" rule. On early days, there is no screen time of any kind. On later days (ds9 leaves at 8:40 most days), screen time can be used once everything else is done- and if they ask and they've forgotten stuff, it's too late. I'm not an ogre, but if I say, "is everything done?" and I find out later it's not, then there is no screen time for 24 hours. It really helps focus.

Fabulous - I'm totally stealing that! I do have a no screentime rule until everything is done, but then I often find out it's not. If we have to leave late because they're not ready, then they owe me that many minutes of extra chores when they get home. But I think the no screen time for 24 hours would make a bigger impact.

I also turn everything off 15 minutes before it's time to leave, even though we're all ready. They can help me clear the table, or read the newspaper, or sit and chat with me, but I don't like to be yelling at the exact moment it's time to go and they're suddenly needing to go to the bathroom, remembering they needed glue, etc... or just saying "I'm almost done with this level."

So true! I'm going to start doing that too!

Kellie
My So Called Green Life

kellie0901
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 7:32pm
nathanielsmom110100 wrote:

What we do now is make sure his clothes are layed out the night before, bag is packed the night before, lunch is packed the night before.
I think I need to be more diligent about making sure they're doing this. Like this morning, no one had laid their clothes out, so that was a struggle. I guess just because it's on the list, doesn't mean it's going to get done.
The problem I am having again is getting him to do everything in a timely manner. I hate to go back to the white board b/c he is in the 5th grade but there are many days we get out to the car and he either lacks in the deodorant or clean teeth department.
Maybe a more grown up version for him? My mom had a checklist for me when I was in middle school. It was more for her to keep track I think, lol, but it was helpful.

Kellie
My So Called Green Life

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turtleemom
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 10:42am

I had a list for Z when he was younger but I had the same list upstairs and downstairs.

momto2xys
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2009
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Wed, 01-11-2012 - 10:09am

I have trouble organizing myself..........




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theresa1107
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2005
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Tue, 01-10-2012 - 5:50pm

I know what you mean - and winter is the worst! The added hassle of snow gear and boots and gloves and....

We try really, really hard to get everything together the night before and that helps a TON! I even try to plan out lunches, make sure there is ice in the freezer, a water bottle filled, fruit cut up, etc. I think that having boys helps, lol... the girls spent so much more time getting ready. I'm lucky too that my boys are early risers, but the first day back at school after break (yesterday) dd11 had orchestra starting at 6:50am. UGH- that's early to be at school, unpacked, ready with instrument, etc...

nathanielsmom110100
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2004
In reply to: kellie0901
Re: How do you organize your children?
 Mon, 01-09-2012 - 5:09pm
When Nathaniel was younger I did pretty much the same thing you have done. I put a magnetic white board on the fridge and w/ an expo marker drew pics of socks, shoes, a toothbrush, clothes and a bowl of cereal. I put a box next to each picture and he had to check mark off each box as he did something. I put pictures and the words b/c he wasn't really reading yet. I tell you it worked though. I bet it will for you too.
What we do now is make sure his clothes are layed out the night before, bag is packed the night before, lunch is packed the night before. The problem I am having again is getting him to do everything in a timely manner. I hate to go back to the white board b/c he is in the 5th grade but there are many days we get out to the car and he either lacks in the deodorant or clean teeth department.

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