Duck Duties

If you've been here for any length of time, you know that I call my kids the ducks. It began when I would ask them to "come along" and they would waddle on behind me. What a great bunch of ducks! It because useful because I can address them as a group and make group announcements. "Ducks--two minute warning." "Alright ducks, we are going to pick up the toys and then get going." "Ducks, quit pooping on the ground." O.K., so the last one isn't true. . . yet. They can always hear me and is distinguishes me from all the other moms/dads/caretakers at a park or at church.

So, this summer Gary and I decided that we needed a little "somethun" in our mornings with our kids. School gave us a great morning routine and we liked it. . . .especially with one child who works just so much better with a routine. We made a chart called Duck Duties (hence the title of this post).

Every morning they need to check off their duties. If they don't, they don't get to watch their morning video until they are done. Some do it right away, some wait. . . it is working. We've been doing for a whole two days now! (smile) My kids are finally the age where I feel like I can do something like this. I'd love to hear more ideas, both for this summer and for the future. We already need to make a few tweaks to the system. Penny doesn't have a chart, but she does seem to do her jobs every morning. Wake up and let us know she is awake. Poop. Eat breakfast and get some in her hair. Laugh about it. Wander all over the house and tackle at least one sibling. Talk. Nap. She is by far the most consistent. :)