The last week and a half have been really peaceful for our little family. We've still had regular sibling disagreements and kerfuffles, but we've had more calm amongst ourselves than we have in months. Bryan and I were trying to figure out what magic force was at work and how to keep it going.
I have two theories, today I'll write about the first. At the beginning of the year I instituted a new chore chart system. Each chart only has eleven items and includes things like get dressed, make your bed, tidy your room, read your scriptures, practice piano, stuff that should be happening everyday anyway. The last three items simply say Parent Choice, which means Bryan and I look around the house and see what needs to be done, then we assign tasks accordingly. The whole list needs to be completed in order to get screen time. The first week went great, then it slowly dropped off until not much was getting marked off.
A few weeks ago Peter had a renewed interest in playing on the computer, which meant he started paying more attention to his chore list. He discovered that if he got up just a little earlier each day he could get more accomplished before he left for school, which then led to more time for playing after school. So he started setting his alarm for 6:15, then 6, then 5:45. By the time we need to leave for school, Peter usually has everything done on his list except for his homework, his parent choice chores, and his trumpet practice, because I don't want our neighbors to call the police due to loud horn sounds too early in the morning.
Phoebe noticed his shift and decided she wanted to do everything on her list for the whole week, just as a challenge to herself. She did it, without much parental prodding and reminding. They were both self-motivated, which meant less stress for me. The house was cleaner, which meant happier dispositions for all. And, bonus, a few of the kids earned some screen time, which made them want to repeat the process again the next day.
Cooper has been motivated this week to follow their examples. Even Sophie has been playing along. General tidiness goes a long way to maintaining peace in our household, and tidiness that does not result from obsessive parental nagging is even better.
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Happy Day! I think that the lessons you have long taught are taking root, and the truthfulness is starting to blossom early this spring: Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
Doctrine and Covenants 88:124
Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.
Encourage and praise. These are the things we aspire to and hope for our children.
(Papa Ron)
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