Do you ever have those days where you know what needs to be done but can't fathom mustering up one more ounce of energy to accomplish whatever that thing may be?
Yeah, that! I know giving your kids chores are a vital part of training your children. I mean, how are they guaranteed to learn anything if we aren't going to take the time to teach them much less learn to do it the way we need them to do them...the RIGHT way? Being disciplined about disciplining your child is THE hardest part. I am exhausted all the time. It takes so much energy to make your kids obey. It can be done.
When Mags was an only child, that whole 18 months or so, we were Great about getting off our tush and physically making her obey. I'm not just talking about the count to 3 and then still show grace kind of stuff. Back then when we said, "Listen 1st time!" and "Delayed obedience is disobedience." we meant it! 90% of parenting really is choosing to get off my butt. There is no room for laziness. This is war. You give them an inch, they'll take 2 feet. lol
No but really, have you ever shown you child "grace" just because you didn't want to get up and make them do whatever it is you ask them to do? Have you ever said, "I'm about to ____ if you don't ____"? The phrase, "Don't make me ____" is a common one. A comedian once made a joke about a dad in a store saying, "If you do that one more time..." Really all of these can be translated, "Mommy {or daddy as the case maybe} is too stank'n tired to come make you so can you pleeeease, pretty please just act like you are going to do at least 1/2 of what I was hoping you were going to do like 20 minutes ago?" Am I right?
I've told you many times before of my awesome intentions and epic fails but I'm trying to start slow with a few new things rather than holding off on them "until we move & settle into a new house/routine/whatev like I would rather do. Feed the dog. Simple enough right? I'm just terrible at remembering this. Don't get me wrong, we've had our handsome Melkizedek since before "we" were "we". This has been Matt's dog. I've always ask that he be responsible for feeding, water, and bathing {bahahaha}. With him going to prison, I tried to help with this...well, I tried to make the kids excited about helping with this. My 4-year-old for real has a better memory than I do so I delegated 🙂
Often in the mornings she'll come ask me if Kiz has been fed yet. When I inevitably tell her no and give her "permission" to feed him she skerries off delighted. {sorry, all my brain wants to yell is SUCKA! anyways...} I've made this pet chore as easy as I can for my kids to do and it only required minimal training. Score!
1st I made all the pet supplies easily accessible. They are in the water heater closet right next to the back door where we keep the dogs bowls. Inside the giant Sam's Club bag I have a little cup they can use to scoop the food. They love this because they get to scoop way more times.
2nd I did this a couple times while they watched. Then I did it with them a couple times. Then I watched them do it several times {adjusting/correcting as needed} and now I have very little involvement. Woop Woop! As a matter of fact, Matt came home one day and ask, "Did you know the kids are out back on the porch by themselves?" "YEP!" 😉
3rd I try not to freak out on them. Yeah. Didn't see that coming did ya? I have lots of pet peeves. When Izzie decides to give Kiz "cereal" by putting his food in his water bowl I have to calmly explain to her dogs don't know about cereal and don't really like the left over shards of "cereal" left in their "milk". I don't like my children smelling like the stanky dog...but I have to be okay with them loving on the lonely, smelly, old-man, def dog ESPECIALLY when they are actually obeying and doing a chore I've given them responsibility for.
Any how. I AM attempting to find the energy I once had so I can keep my eyes on the prize and finish the race strong! It's no one else's job. When I ask my hubs, "What the crap? Where did this disrespect and disobedience come from? Rrrrr!"; it comes from Me...or the lack there of. Children were not born "good kids" or "brats". We are shaping them and the adults they will be. No wonder its so exhausting.
Here's the final product: 
