9-2-14

After a long, tiring and stressful day at work, the last thing a parent wants to look forward to is an evening of unrest and chaos. Setting up rules for the week will be helpful and keep the whole family in line. It is important to express to your child exactly what your time-schedule is for each night and what chores they can help you with.

First, let them know if there are medical appointments, sports responsibilities or family obligations to consider for the week. This makes the child aware of the stress everyone could be under, if cooperation and assistance are missing.

Second, make a list of the chores your child will be responsible for each night. Taking out the garbage, setting the table, clearing the table, folding the laundry, helping make dessert (everyone’s favorite), taking a bath or shower, brushing his/her teeth, setting out clothes and shoes for the next morning, preparing lunch, suggesting a particular food preference for breakfast and completing homework, test studying, making project due dates known and placing them on the family calendar, and having the backpack ready for the morning will be of tremendous help and avoid arguments and frustration.

It is extremely important to recognize and praise your child every time they complete a particular job for you or check and complete their school assignment on time. You are helping to build your child’s self-esteem, confidence, perseverance and determination to get the work done on time. These are qualities you are encouraging on a daily basis to help build their character while planting the seeds for adulthood.

It is difficult being the “tough” parent but it will pay off later on. Right now your child is testing YOU to see how far he can go or “pull your strings.” You will develop more respect and cooperation if you remind your child that you discipline with love and understanding. It does get stored in their memory and even though you may not be thanked for it now, YOU WILL SEE THE FRUIT OF YOUR HARD WORK IN TIME TO COME AND IN THEIR LATER YEARS OF ADULTHOOD.

Stick to your guns and don’t forget to set up a special family night to either make popcorn, pizzas, sundaes or your favorite dessert and watch a movie or play a family game. I always enjoyed making cream cheese and jelly on Ritz crackers as a child and watching the Flintstones with my family. Making ice cream waffle sandwiches was fun because we helped mom put the ice cream in between the waffles. Now that was YUMMY fun!!! Sounds old-fashioned and cheesy? Maybe it does, but the simplest times spent together were truly the best remembered!!!!!!!!