Tuesday, September 13, 2011
They are Lazy Slobs and I'm to Blame
I've told you before how my house can sometimes be such a mess that I won't let the pizza guy in. In that same post I also told you about how my classroom is so neat and orderly and that I think it is because it's only "my" area. Then again, I also talked about how I share it with 21 little people so it really isn't "my" area. However, I have trained those darlings to clean up after themselves and keep our classroom organized. After I typed the post and hit publish I realized that the post really wasn't finished. It was actually just the beginning to this one.
After reading my post I started to ponder why if I could train my students could I not train my kids? Why can I keep an area I share with 21 school aged students cleaner than one I share with three others, one of which is an adult?
Hmmm.
Now here is where I confess to the hardest part of being a teacher mom.
I spend so much time during the day helping, teaching, answering questions, trying to stay two steps ahead of kids, organizing, planning, etc, etc, that by the time I get home, I'm just plum DONE! I don't want to do it anymore. I don't want to stay on top of things, follow through with consequences, and be in charge anymore.
Hence the problem.
My family, well my kids, need me to keep working for them.
They deserve it.
Both of the kids are old enough to clean up after themselves.
To complete the chores.
To earn rewards and natural consequences for their choices.
I just have to step up and follow through no matter how tired or done I am.
Yes, my kids are lazy slobs.
I take complete blame.
But, things are changing around here.
It's not gonna be easy.
But, it sure is gonna be cleaner!
I'd love to hear how you help keep order in your house?
Do you use charts, reward systems, certain consequences?
Help a mom out. Spill it!