Re-Motivating the Kids

My kids’ daily checklist is designed for my own brain.  It’s meant to be something that will help them motivate themselves, which makes up for my own ability to say, “OK, get in bed!” without ever thinking about having them pick up their rooms, the living room, etc.

We go through times when the checklist is forgotten.  By all of us.  Thankfully, though, it has a built-in reminder system called . . . greed.

Sunday afternoon, my husband wanted to shop for some life-jackets he heard were on clearance at a store 45 minutes away.  No one wanted to go with him.  Poor guy.

Then, he decided to forget the fantastic life-jacket deal and see what our local Walmart had.  Suddenly, all three kids decided to tag along.  On a Sunday afternoon . . . when Walmart is insane.

I tried not to giggle too loudly.

One kid had a big chunk of birthday money that’s been burning a hole in his wallet for two weeks, another had some he’s been holding onto for 8 months, and the other had an entire five dollars that would surely buy her everything she’s ever dreamed of in the Barbie aisle, and which was being completely wasted sitting in a drawer in her room.

Evidently . . . from what I hear . . . they had quite a time.  Eyes widened, and sights were set on the things that would make their less-than-a-decade lives complete.  Not that they knew those things existed when they woke up that morning.

Alas, tears were shed in the Barbie aisle.  Toys that cost half of what the recent-birthday-boy had, which were similar to toys he already has but never plays with . . . were discouraged.

Again, I stifled my giggles as I listened to the stories.

While it might not have been the most enjoyable shopping trip of my husband’s fatherhood career, it was worth it.

This week, the kids are adamant about getting their tasks done.  And when they remember, I start to remember, and we get some traction going.

Yay for plans that work in spite of my slob brain!