“How to Add a 'Spoonful of Sugar' to Get the Daily Tasks Done"

Do you have dishes to do?  Laundry to fold?  Toys to pick up?   So do I!  I have learned that I can't do it all!  There is no way that I can keep my house clean without help from my family.  On the Power of Mom's website today is one of my favorite articles that I have written about how to get your kids to help with daily cleaning tasks.

While we are talking about houses I wanted to mention that I am so excited with some of the current projects happening at our house!  Before Christmas we always have a "Pre- Christmas Clean Out."  It is a major deep clean where we try to get rid of as many things as we can to make room for all the new toys that we will get.  I wrote our clean out plan on our chalkboard (all the ideas are from "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.")

Chalkboard

 Our oldest girls got new beds and bedding for Christmas!  We are having fun re-decorating!  

For Christmas I got a new shower curtain and rugs for the upstairs bathroom!

 We are enjoying our cleaned out rooms!  

My girls are organization experts :)  

Preschool Plans

I received an email from a friend this week asking me about starting a preschool group.  I have enjoyed teaching my kids preschool for the past 11 years and here is a review of some of the curriculums that I have used and liked:

I am still trying to decided what curriculum I want to use with my little 4 year old this year.  I enjoy them all!

 Pictures of some of last years preschool kids!

I have used the Joy School curriculum with some of my kids and I love the values and stories that it uses.  The Eyre's have just revised the Joy School Curriculum and it is now call Joy School 2.0.  The good news is that the new program is even cheaper than it was before.  

I have also adapted the "Five in A Row" curriculum for a preschool curriculum.  It was written as a homeschool curriculum, but can easily be adapted.  It is based on classic children's literature and you use one book per week to teach about many different subjects.  

We have most often just made up our own curriculum, there is so much available on the internet it is easy to just assign lessons like this:

Week 1:  Letter A, Number 1 (animals)

Week 2:  Letter B, Number 2 (balls) . . . 

Another idea that some of my friends have used in the past is FunShine Express.  It is more expensive, but sends you everything you need to teach preschool.  

I also like the Core Knowledge book "What Your Preschooler Needs to Know."

Here is a post I wrote called, "Picking a Preschool."

Loads of Laundry

This post is dedicated to my 

friend Natalie who asked me 

to post about laundry a long time ago!   

Laundry, laundry… it never ends.  May I confess that I don't love laundry?  We have a lot of it and we stay pretty well on top of it because I have a secret weapon… my husband.  Years ago when all of our kids were too tiny to help he offered to take over the laundry for a few months each time we had a new baby. (It was a great deal!)  He is super organized and thinks of great processes of how to work efficiently, thus, our laundry system was born.   Here is how we handle all the dirty clothes:


All dirty laundry that is removed is placed in one of three bins:

Always Sorted!

White, light, or dark.  There are only 3 dirty laundry bins in the entire house and they are all lined up, it has been that way for years (many years, like 10+).   When kids get out of the bath or shower upstairs or down they come and drop dirty clothes in the bins.  The little kids of course need reminding or help.  This helps so much, because I never have to collect or sort clothes! 

(*note: at our house this works because it is a habit.  If your family is currently in the habit of throwing dirty laundry on the floor or in the closet it will take time to break that habit! Be patient and persistent.)


Load a Day

I try to do about one load per day.  (The exception is when we have a potty training child, and then the laundry never ends!).  I fold clothes and leave them in piles on my bed and have the kids take their piles after school to their own rooms to be put away. If I fold laundry after they are in bed I leave their pile by the door so that they can put it away the next morning.  Doing one load a day ensures that we all have clean underwear and socks, but we have a lot more laundry than one load a day.  The fact is that somedays are busy and slide by without a load of laundry getting done.  

Plan to Have a Catch Up Day

In the past:  Saturday has been a big laundry day at our house.  I usually would direct the kids in Saturday work while my husband collects all the towels that need to be washed.  Saturday is the day that we make sure our laundry bins are empty and that all our towels are clean.  Part of the kids Saturday work is to help with laundry, so we all help fold or hang.  

This systems has worked quite well, but my husband continues to get busier and busier at work and church so I have had to adjust to getting more done durning the week.  I now have Thursday as my big laundry day to make sure bins are empty and all towels are clean.  The kids come home from school and help fold their own clothes and put them away.  

I usually do bedding on a Tuesday or Thursday during the week.  Most of our kids take a bath or shower every night before bed, so I don't feel it is necessary to wash their sheets every week since they always get in bed clean.  I usually wash one room's sheets each week.  

Our laundry room is small, but it works. I think the key is to stay on top of the clean clothes and make sure that they are folded shortly after they are finished in the dryer.  

  
Everyone happily helps with laundry :)  

Favorite Products

If I am going to all the work to have clean clothes I want them to smell clean.  I prefer Gain.  There are two different scents at Sam's Club.  I like to switch it up occasionally so that we notice the fresh smell!  Bounce works for a fabric softener.  

Oxi Clean Max Force Gel Stick is a product that we love!  I can't tell you how many white and light pink shirts this stuff has saved.  When the kids have had an extra messy day with spaghetti sauce, ketchup, or watermelon we stain stick their clothes before we throw them in the hamper and this stuff works!   

Less is More!

Most people can reduce most of their laundry problems by reducing the amount of clothes you own.  You don't believe me?  Try it!  Here are some of the benefits to having less clothes:

-It is easier to put your clothes in your drawer or hang in your closet because it isn't over stuffed.  

-If you only have what you like in your closet you spend less time trying on multiple outfits (I have kids that will try on an outfit and throw it in the hamper so that they don't have to put it away!).  

For little kids our rule is 10 outfits.  (if they have 11 shirts that is close enough :)  

Here are pictures of our 4 year old's 10 outfits.  I roll her outfits together so that she can get dressed herself in the morning.  

My general rule for little kids is:
-10 outfits
-3 pairs of pajamas
-1 coat
-a few cardigans or sweaters for girls
-a sweat shirt
-swimming suit

(I am not a total stickler, if they get a new shirt for their birthday they can have more than 10 :)

Bigger kids:
-At least 5 pairs of pants or shorts (depends on the season)
-Around 10 shirts
-3 pairs of pajamas
-1 coat
-a few cardigans or sweaters for girls
-a sweat shirt
-swimming suit
(of course older girls have vests, scarves, cardigans. . . )       

Church clothes for everyone: Girls at least 4 dresses, boys have a suit and khaki pants with a sweater vest so that they can switch off each week.  The boys usually have a long sleeve and short sleeve white shirt. 

FYI:  for kids over the age of 6 we fold pants but hang all their shirts.  

I cleaned out my closet this week and only kept things that I love.  (I thought my closet was pretty clean and organized, but I filled two and a half garbage bags of clothes for Goodwill.) The best part is that I feel like I have more to wear!  I don't have to sort through the stuff that I don't really like!  

Chores!

Chores Part 1 from Tasha Bradshaw on Vimeo.




Chores Part 2 from Tasha Bradshaw on Vimeo.

*I said in the video that the first chore we give our kids is to unload the dishwasher, I meant to say help with the unloading the silverware!  :)

A friend of mine asked me what we do about chores.  We have done a variety of different ideas over the years and ages.  Overall the ideas that really work are:

Daily Chores

1.  Be Consistent!

2.  Make sure they know what you expect and how you want it done!

3.  Start Young.  Our kids officially get chores when they are 3.  They help pick up their toys and rooms before that.  Their first chore is usually to help unload the silverware.

I have a list of what needs to be done each day at home.  (It is taken from Daryl Hoole's book, "The Art of Homemaking Today") It is my favorite book.

Daily
make beds
prepare and serve meals
clean up and sweep kitchen
spot-clean bath fixtures, mirrors, and floors
pick up throughout house
empty wastebaskets
wash and fold clothes
remove snow in season

I look at the list and ask myself what the kids are capable of helping with on the list and what would help us to get a great start on the day.  

Here are some of the chores at our house:

Unload the dishwasher (I start it every night so that it is ready in the morning)
Unload the silverware
Get snacks and water bottles (the school kids have to take a snack everyday)
Empty trash cans from bathrooms and office into the large kitchen trash
Bathroom wipe down (using clorox cleaning wipes clean bathrooms sinks and toilets)
Help the 4 year old make her bed 

We don't rotate chores, because I assign chores based on ability.  Every several months we  re-evaluate and change things up.  (in the summer we don't need a daily snack person, so we think of a new needed chore)

The rule at our house is that you have to do chores and make your bed before school or you  get 3 extra chores after school.  They are usually really good at getting it done in the morning!  

Saturday Work

I again use the weekly list from Daryl Hoole's book to evaluate what the kids can help with on Saturday jobs:

Weekly
clean bathrooms
change bed and bath linens
remove fingerprints
damp-mop hard floors
dust furniture
vacuum floors
carry out trash
iron and mend
plan weekly menu and grocery shop
water indoor plants
mow and edge lawn in season
tend garden in season
rake leaves in season
sweep porches and steps

I will send a link with examples of our Saturday work. http://www.organizeddinner.blogspot.com/2012/06/saturday-work.html

 It talks about "treasure boxes" on the Saturday work list.  Treasure boxes are rubbermaid containers that each child has for their personal treasures (i.e. junk mom would probably throw away!)  That is their special place for anything they want.  Some kids keep McDonald's toys and tons of art projects that they have made.  The only rule is that the lid must fit on!  It is a great solution to giving them space to do what they want and keeping their rooms uncluttered and organized like I want!  

Chore Motivation and Charts

Right now we are in a pretty good grove and the kids are all quick to get done what they need to.  In the past we have used fake dollar bills and they get "paid" for doing their chores.  They used their fake money to buy screen time or special dates with mom and dad. We have used charts to mark.  We have also used the online App called  My Job Chart to mark of their responsibilities.  

Celebrating Benson LaVel Bradshaw

Today is my little nephew's first Birthday.  Although his life was short he had a tremendous impact on many lives.  He lived from February 25, 2014 to April 2, 2014.  Most of his life was spent in the hospital but he was granted a short time on earth to be home with his wonderful parents and loving older brothers.  

As a family we decided we wanted to do something to remember and honor Ben for his first Birthday.  We decided to start our first annual, "Benson Bradshaw Fundraiser."  Throughout the month of February the kids took on extra jobs around the house to earn money.  They were very diligent and were constantly asking for work!  

Ben spent most of his life in the hospital so we decided as a family to use our money to bless other children that are in the hospital.  I contacted our local Children's hospital and found out what items we can donate to help children.  

With cash in hand, the kids and I went to Walmart in search of the perfect gifts to bless children.

They each had their own money that they had earned so they had to figure out how much things cost and what they could afford to buy.  

I wish I could have truly captured the joy that they felt and the excitement in the air.  It was that feeling of true joy and service that I hope they will never forget. 

They were all so excited with what they bought.  The little kids especially love to sit and look at the presents that we are giving in honor of Ben's first Birthday.  

They picked out:

board books
coloring books
crayons
bubbles
weaving kits
dinosaur toys
toy cars
stickers
playdough

Happy Birthday Ben.  We love you.

Other posts about Benson:  A Christ Centered Easter

Cause for Concern: Pornography

Last week at the grocery store I was busy putting my cart load of groceries on the moving conveyer belt for the checker who was checking me out.  As I lifted the eggs and bread my beautiful four year old daughter said," Mom look, she is not modest."  She pointed at a very inappropriate magazine cover in the check out line.   It was the kind of picture that you see and then feel sick that we live in such a crazy world that people view it as normal.  I turned her head and quietly talked to her and explained that I agree, she is not modest and suggested we look the other way so that we don't have to see that picture.

How sad, why do our children have to be so exposed to such pictures at a young age?

This morning while getting ready I listened to a podcast on Power of Moms, entitled "Pornography: A Totally Doable Plan for Protecting Our Kids."  It was an excellent discussion about how as mothers we can protect our children by teaching them when they are young the difference between good pictures and bad pictures.  The discussion was with Kristen Jenson, author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures.  I have not read the book, but it sounds like a great resource to help our children.  This is a serious problem in our world today that is affecting so many people, ruining young minds, and damaging families.

Our church has a mormon message regarding the pain and heartbreak that can be caused by pornography.

So what can we do as mother's to protect our children?  We can teach and talk to them.  I knew what I needed to do.  This morning I called the manager of our local grocery store, I explained my concern of the magazine covers with women with very little clothing on and the manager was so helpful.  He explained that they have plastic covers that they can put in front of the magazine to cover the photo.  He said that he would get right on it to make sure that inappropriate pictures are not right at eye level (and are covered with the plastic cover) for my innocent four year old to see next time I am in the check out line.  I am grateful that he was so willing to understand and willing to help me protect my children.  

Following this experience we took time to talk with all of our children about pornography and how to avoid it and what to do when we happen upon something that is a "bad picture."  It our technological world it is a subject that needs to be clearly addressed at home.  

Reverence at Church

Many people ask how we get our kids to be reverent in church.  My husband is (was until last week) a high counselor and sometimes he doesn't attend our ward that leaves me with seven kids at church by myself.  Sometimes the baby needs to be fed or taken out durning church so that leaves six kids to sit by themselves.  

So here some of the tips and ideas that we have found help the kids to be more reverent during sacrament meeting. 
(By the way, I asked the kids this question and they helped me make this list)

 reverence at church starts at home.

Number one hold regular family scripture study. We have the kids sit on the couch with their scriptures and take turns reading and participating in family scripture study. By learning to sit during the week they do a lot better on Sunday.  Have you heard the primary song that says, "Reverence is more than just quietly sitting. . ."  Having family scripture study durning the week also teaches them to understand spiritual things.  It has helped our kids to learn from and enjoy sacrament meeting, not just view it as a time to quietly endure!  

Number two we've learned that less is more when it comes to taking things to church.  The more we take the more of a circus, zoo, and wild experience it becomes. 

We don't have our kids take a lot of toys to church, if they are three or four they can have a pencil and paper to draw with or maybe some pictures of Christ or something little that they can hold.   If they are older than that we really encourage them just to have their scriptures. We want our kids to understand that Sacrament meeting isn't a time for art projects or leisurely reading.  We want them listening to the speaker, so we really encourage less stuff.  

Number three sometimes we have a seating arrangement.   We've learned that it's better if you can have kids arranged in an order where they can be reverent.   The babies and the ones that need the most help get to sit by the parents and then the other ones are in a certain order so that the ones that fight the most are not sitting by each other!   We have found that a boy girl seating chart usually works pretty well for our family.

Number Four  I would like to add to the list that parents set the example.  I can't even begin to emphasis enough that our attitude and focus in church has a tremendous effect on our children. With a 9 month old baby she sometimes gets a bit squirmy and I need to stand up in the back with her or take her out.  I'm amazed as I walk out of the chapel and turn around and look back or as I'm walking in from having her in the hall, the amount of people on their iPhones and iPads. Many grown adults sit in Sacrament meeting playing games on their iPhones. I see children that are completely engrossed in a game on their iPad.  It is sad to me that the sacrament meeting which should be focused on our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement. Is more focused on the trivial meaningless mindnumbing games or entertainment.  Based on those thoughts you can see that we don't allow her children to use technology in Sacrament meeting. I also have sacrament meeting  a time when I put my phone and iPad away.  If the spirit prompts me and I need to write something down I need to remember later I simply write a note on the church program and later added it to my calendar or to do list so I can follow through on that prompting

Number Five How we dress and how prepared for church we are make a big difference in our reverence.  "How we dress is an important indicator of our attitude and preparation for any activity in which we will engage. If we are going swimming or hiking or playing on the beach, our clothing, including our footwear, will indicate this. The same should be true of how we dress when we are to participate in the ordinance of the sacrament. It is like going to the temple. Our manner of dress indicates the degree to which we understand and honor the ordinance in which we will participate." (Elder Oaks)

Excellent article on reverance
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/07/enjoying-sacrament-meeting-with-children?lang=eng

Elder oaks
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng

Tips for Teaching Toddlers

It is almost time for preschool to start!  To see my thoughts about picking a preschool read this post:

Picking a Preschool


This spring (April 2014) I wrote my thoughts about teaching toddlers and a few helpful hints:


I love to teach preschool.  This year marks my 10th year that I have had the opportunity to teach.  Last week when I taught we focused on the letter D.  We had so much fun with Dogs and we even ate our snack like Dogs!  The kids thought it was so fun.  

Here are a few of my thoughts for how to keep it fun for kids and for moms:

1.  Plan more than you think you will need!  Little preschool kids have very short attention spans so we move from one activity to another.  When I first started teaching preschool I really liked that the "Joyschool" curriculum has it all planned out for you and how long each activity should be.  It was a great way for me to start out so that  I learned how to plan my time.  I usually do something like this:

opening
story
craft
active activity
writing or cutting
snack
sit in a circle to learn
playtime
color or something at the table

2.  Remember you are there to teach, not put on a show.  One time preschool was at my house and I had an amazing idea for a snack that went along with the theme.  I was sure that it would impress the children and the moms would think I was amazing, so I got up at the crack of dawn to make fresh dough for my amazing snack.  In the end the kids didn't even eat it, they took one bite and pushed it aside!  I should also mention that not one mom even got to see how amazing I was for making such a great snack to go along with the theme!  All that stress was wasted!  Another time I had preschool at my house and nothing great to serve so we had a taste test party.  We had to choose between Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios and Craisins or Raisins.  They voted for their favorite snack.  The kids thought that was a blast, and they ate everything!

3.  Creative enough to be cool, simple enough to be sane!
I love pinterest.  There are so many great ideas, but I believe if we spend our time worrying about if our teaching is worthy to be pictured on pinterest we feel extra pressure and miss the magic moments!  I have seen mothers who completely burn out from teaching preschool because their personal expectations are too high! Preschool kids can't even put together some of the amazing projects that are presented.  

4.  Eye contact on their level
The best preschool classes that  I have taught have been the simple ones where  I got involved with the kids, looked them in the eye and was really on their level.  They love to feel your attention and love.  They also love to learn.  

5.  Go with it!
Recognize when they are interested or enjoying a particular activity and do it longer if needed or if they don't seem to understand, feel free to move to the next event.  

Letter D dogs:

Mac and Cheese Deluxe

Mac and Cheese Deluxe

7 oz. ziti with lines
2 c. cottage cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 egg
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (2 c.)
Paprika

Cook ziti, drain well. Combine cottage cheese, egg, salt, and pepper.Add shredded cheese. Stir in cooked ziti. Turn into greased 9x9-inch baking ban. Sprinkle with paprika. Bale in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 45 minutes. Serves 6.

A Christ Centered Easter

Easter has taken on a new meaning for our family since the passing of our little Nephew.  We decided that we would slightly change a few traditions this year to focus more on the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.


We did have our "Last Supper" with food that may have been something like Christ would have eaten.

Bean and Lentil Soup with Herbs
Flat Bread with Hummus

 After dinner Justin washed the kid's feet like Christ washed the Apostle's feet.

 We used pictures to teach the last week of Christ's life.
 We also have Easter Eggs with objects that represent Christ's last week and scriptures to read.

 Abigail and Hyrum played simplified Hymns about the Resurrection for us to sing to.

 We went to church (this picture was taken after church when everyone was tired and hungry!).

 The climax of our Easter was what we did for gifts.  Instead of getting traditional Easter dresses, new church clothes for the boys, and toys we used the money to buy something really special.

We framed a picture of our little nephew Benson to hang on our wall.  We talked to the kids about how Benson is in Heaven with Jesus and that is our goal to live our lives so that we can also be there and be together as a family.

 We found this amazing picture of Christ and it was our big gift to our family.  In the picture the Savior is holding one tiny baby lamb.  We discussed that the baby lamb represents their cousin Benson.  We are the other lambs in the back ground.  We talked about what we have to do to make our way up the hill to where Christ and baby Benson are.  It was a wonderful spiritual time for our family.

It has been our most memorable Easter.