I know that's a tall order and some if you may deem it impossible. Hang with me a minute. Not that life always goes perfectly and we are never late, but here are some tips that help bigger families get where they need to go with less stress.
Tonight's the big Independence Day picnic and there are a lot of things I need to do. Invariably I will ask the same child 3 times if they gathered all their stuff and are ready to go and then leave one child transported to another country in the library until the very last minute and then wonder why they are still in their pjs! That's how our check system came to be.
It's simple really, but saves me a lot of stress. The big day arrives and I need everybody clothed with proper attire and bringing their gear and all my gear and food, and I just don't do it all. I make lists. A simple sticky note or back of a paper that's sitting on the counter. I made it early in the morning while I planned my day or 5 min before it was time to go and I realized I was yelling at people.
It reads something like this:
Tonight's the big Independence Day picnic and there are a lot of things I need to do. Invariably I will ask the same child 3 times if they gathered all their stuff and are ready to go and then leave one child transported to another country in the library until the very last minute and then wonder why they are still in their pjs! That's how our check system came to be.
It's simple really, but saves me a lot of stress. The big day arrives and I need everybody clothed with proper attire and bringing their gear and all my gear and food, and I just don't do it all. I make lists. A simple sticky note or back of a paper that's sitting on the counter. I made it early in the morning while I planned my day or 5 min before it was time to go and I realized I was yelling at people.
It reads something like this:
Now here's a few pointers. We named our kids all with different initials so this makes life easier but color codes or full names work.
Have each child initial when they have done these things. Older ones know they are to initial for themselves and a pre-reading child they helped.
An initial I wrote in parentheses means a specific person is assigned that duty or Husband and strong boys know they can load the car with other items on my list and sign off.
I just keep an eye on the list and makes sure everyone's initials are getting scrawled on it and give encouragement where needed.
Now that pour child who's on top of things doesn't have to answer 3 times they "already did it!" and we don't leave somebody playing barbies under their bed.
Usually, this helps get us in the van on time and keeps us from forgetting things. I hope it works for you!
Let the fun and fireworks begin!
Have each child initial when they have done these things. Older ones know they are to initial for themselves and a pre-reading child they helped.
An initial I wrote in parentheses means a specific person is assigned that duty or Husband and strong boys know they can load the car with other items on my list and sign off.
I just keep an eye on the list and makes sure everyone's initials are getting scrawled on it and give encouragement where needed.
Now that pour child who's on top of things doesn't have to answer 3 times they "already did it!" and we don't leave somebody playing barbies under their bed.
Usually, this helps get us in the van on time and keeps us from forgetting things. I hope it works for you!
Let the fun and fireworks begin!