Joyfully Doing

At the beginning of the summer I read the Duggar Book. In the book they talk about a little game they play at their house called "The Yes Ma'am Game". There is more detail in the book and you would want to read that, but the basis is that when one of the chidren is asked to do something they are rewarded for responding with a "Yes ma'am". I believe they use a sticker chart. The catch is that it has to be joyful. That means no grumbling under your breath or frowning or even dully saying "Yes ma'am". In fact, the children are to respond with a hearty, "Yes ma'am, I'd be happy to!" I know it sounds a little hokey... and my kids (well, Savannah) thought is was a bit hokey, but we gave it a try. It sure couldn't hurt to try it out.

During our school time in the mornings I would start the older three out with a little sticker page and would remind them that we were trying to earn our stickers. When they filled their sticker sheet they would get some sort of reward. As anyone knows that has tried reward charts the hardest part is following through with the plan... I mean, sometimes you are busy with something and it is not too convenient to stop and put a sticker on a chart. We were not too consistent. Not at all... We forgot our little sticker sheets and proceeded on with life. Over the course of the summer and up to the present I have reminded the kids to say, "Yes ma'am.... I'd be happy to!" You would just be so surprised how you instantly see their spirit change when they add the "I'd be happy to!" portion.... partly because they almost giggle, but it really does change their attitude and spirit.

In the last few days I have noticed that Savannah will be asked to do something and without being silly or hokey or even squeaking out a giggle she will say, "Yes ma'am, I'd be happy to!" It seems that, at least, sometimes this is becominn a natural habit for her. I am so eager to see this enthusiasm about joyfully doing grow over the coming months and years!!!

This is especially significant to me right now because I am stuggling to be optimistic and joyful with our homeschooling. I feel defeated by the little failures and I lose sight of my joy for being here and doing it all. It is really hard for me because I have never wanted a "break" from my kids until I started homeschooling.... it was just never a desire I had. I wanted them to be with me for EVERY MOMENT... even the inconvenient ones. So, here I am in a strange new land for me and I know that I too have got to follow the "Yes Ma'am" Approach. I need to say, "Yes, Sir God. I'd be happy to!" with a fully joyful spirit.

Report For Duty

Grab a timer and getting ready for some fast-paced chore assignments!! That's what we are doing RIGHT NOW! I am on a "nursing sit-down". Here's how it works:

First, set the rules. Enforce the "Yes Ma'am Chart" in my previous post (I will link it later). Tell them what you want them to do. Decide on a time frame. We are doing 5 minute time frames. It is hustle, hustle, hustle (that means for this game they can run and do it super fast). You can use chore cards or call out their "assignments".

Second, use some fun things... We have a megaphone. You could make them "salute" while using their cheerful Yes Ma'am responses. Remember this is about getting them to have fun while cleaning. Do not make it awful for your little soldiers!

Third, get started! I am gonna tell you what we did to give you an idea. This game was about getting some help, but not perfection. Set your expectations low. I set the timer for 5 minutes and said, "Report for duty! Clean up all the toys in the dining room and return them too their appropriate place." When the timer went off I said, "Great job! Now take a five minute break and play. When the timer goes off you need to come back here and report for duty, again." So, when they came back (all the while I am announcing, "Report for duty!") I changed it up by sending them to our main living area and gathering shoes that needed to be put away. They took the 5 minute break. Came back and I had them remove toys from the kitchen. They took a 5 minute break. Came back and I requested that they stack up books that they had knocked off a table this morning (about 20), then I called them in to put whites from the washer into the dryer. They love to do this and even climb in my washer and pass the laundry to each other assembly line style to the dryer. Then, I had a load of towels ready for them to put in the washer. In case you are wondering, I kept working right through their breaks and and helped them during their "duty" time. I also pointed this out that I was continuing to work and that I appreciated their help.

Fourth, suprise them with a reward. My girls did not know there was a reward... and I did not plan one, but I was so pleased that I wanted to do something special for them. I painted their nails... fingers and toes!! I despise doing it, but it makes them happy. Shame on me for not liking it, but I am not a girly-girl and it takes more patience than I have most days to paint little wiggly fingers and toes that usually get messed up more than once. We did manage to not have any spills this time!!

Another point I feel I need to make is that we have NOT done our school today, YET! We will break for lunch and then, start schooling. Another point... Caden did drag some more toys back in the kitchen while we were nail painting. Like I said before, this is not about perfection. It is more about training them to serve... to be joyful and helpful at the same time. Hope this helps you.... even if you break it into to 15 minute sections or whatever. The five minute makes it wild and very fast-paced, but accomplishes a lot in a short time.... while they did some physical exercise. You may find it difficult to keep up with the pace yourself! :) Try it and let me know what you think! It is no real "grand thing", but it worked for us today. It may not everyday, but I am gonna try it. If they get burn-out I will change up what we do. I was thinking that you could tie it in with unit studies, too. I am gonna think on that... Like play the police officer game and do the same as above. We could have "office day" where we focus on straightening our books and papers.... I know I am strange, but it is all for the cause....

Teamwork ~ Togetherness ~ Love

No, this is not a Valentine's project as it might seem. We are trying to tame some tensions amoungst two girls that are not used to being around each other ALL THE TIME. Last week I decided to do a bit of a study on the Fruits of the Spirit to promote more peace in the home. The first Fruit of the Spirit we are studying is love. At the end we finished up with a simple craft that they could complete by "working together". The key here is SIMPLE, so that they can do it together and work as a team. I chose to simply hand draw a heart on red construction paper and let the kids glue pink "packing peanuts" on the heart. I told them that they needed to do it together and take turns ... one do the glue ane the other place on a peanut ... then, switch until it is complete. By being nice and kind it would bring them joy and peace. Exercising self-control and having patience are all part of this project, which really incorporates many of the Fruits of the Spirit!!! And without a lot of explanation ... they got it!!! Later Sierra (my irrational one) could be seen skipping through the house and saying, "This is the best day ever, because we are going to be nice to each other." ~~That is how I measure SUCCESS!!~~

***Also, I read a suggestion that you should make sure you take photos of "school" to look back upon in the years to come. I wish I could remember where I read it, so I could give them credit and a big THANKS! What a great tip that is easily overlooked as we hurry to get goals accomplished!