After reading this great article about getting your kids to help with chores, I wanted to share these practical thoughts and ideas from WebMD (www.webmd.com/parenting) Trust these things will help you all to have a more enjoyable summer while the kids are home.
I have always believed we're robbing our children of important life skills if we don't teach them to successfully do chores at home. They want privileges?Then teach them responsibilities go along with that. While it's true that sometimes, it's just easier to do it yourself, take time to teach because your children need to learn those skills that are important to a successful future.
"They’re learning that life requires work,"says James Sears,MD, co-author of Father’s First Steps: 25 Things Every Dad Should Know. For kids, chores are more than helping out; they are lessons in basic life skills. By loading the dishwasher, mowing the grass, or doing their laundry, "kids learn how the world works."
Make Chores Predictable: To take the sting out of chores, set aside a time each week when the whole family does chores, Saturday morning from 8 to 9 for example. Then you don’t get into battles about when chores get done. Having the whole family do chores at the same time also helps. Your kid knows that every Saturday morning,this is what the family does.
Assign Chores By Age: Tasks that are clearly over your child’s head will make chore time dreadful for everyone.T he following suggestions can get you started on assigning age-appropriate chores. Then it’s your turn to get creative.
4 or 5 years old: Sort socks, put away toys, help set table, stack magazines, gather trash.
6 or 7 years old: Take dog for a walk, empty the dishwasher, prepare lunch, make bed.
8 or 9 years old: Set table, load dishwasher, clean bathroom sink, feed, brush and bathe the pet.
10 or 11 years old: Put away groceries, run the dishwasher, fold laundry.
12 or 13 years old: Do laundry and put away, change sheets, mow the yard, fix simple meals, clean bathrooms.
Once chores are done, maybe the kids could have fun making some good snacks. Here's some simple ideas to get them started. Kids will always be more willing to eat something they've helped create themselves.
2 c. (1%) milk
1 sm. pkg. (4 serv. size) instant pudding mix
(vanilla, banana or lemon)
1 c. (plain or vanilla) Greek yogurt
Whisk together the milk and pudding mix. Chill about 15 minutes.
Fold in Greek yogurt. Pour into molds. Freeze at least 8 hours.
If you don't have molds, just pour into paper cups. Freeze half an hour, then insert a popsicle stick, or even part of a plastic straw, for a handle. (Place into a small cup of warm water to loosen, if necessary).
RASPBERRY SWEETIES
Just wash and dry your berries and put little chocolate chips upside down in them. The kids will be so proud they made this sweet treat for you.
STRAWBERRY KOOL-AID PIE
1 pkg. Kool-aid (unsweetened-any flavor)
1- 14 ozs. can sweetened condensed milk
1- 8 ozs. tub of frozen whipped topping, thawed
1- 9" pre-made graham cracker crust
whipped cream and/or strawberries for garnish, optional
Place the kool-aid, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped topping in a large bowl. Mix and stir (a whisk works great) until it's well blended. Pour creamy filling into graham cracker crust. Refrigerate 2- 3 hours until set. Garnish with toppings and serve.
I have a creative friend who made this dish with a bottle of BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce. Use your family's favorite. Try substituting cooked chicken for the pepperoni.
PEPPERONI PIZZA PUFF
4 cans (7.5 ozs each) buttermilk biscuits, cut into 1/6's
1- 5 ozs. bag pepperoni slices
1- 15 ozs. pizza sauce
1- 8 ozs. pkg.shredded mozzarella
Preheat oven to 350. Mix everything together and place in a greased 9"X13" baking dish. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Enjoy a wonderful July 4th weekend. God bless America! (And isn't it about time America blesses God?)
