More Solutions

Just like trying to find first aid supplies when they are most needed, finding a pen when the lady on the phone starts rattling off a phone number is equally hard at our house. I've seen this idea several places, so it is not mine, I just don't remember where I've seen it.

I took a small metal canister (Starbucks sells mints and things in them - this one came from Trader Joe's via the Easter Bunny), spray painted it (I've seen much cuter versions with paper modge-podged on them and/or ribbons) and then hot glued a magnet to the back. Now I have a pen and pencil that permanently live on the fridge.

For more about how I menu plan for the week, click here. Our grocery bill has gone up since I wrote that post, now that the girls are older and we've added a little boy with a VERY healthy appetite to our family. But I still do things the same way, and it works well for us. This past weekend, I bought $207 worth of groceries, and then handed the cashier my Kroger card and stack of coupons, and watched the total drop to $126. It's not Extreme Couponing, but I also don't have 8 hours to prepare for a grocery trip, nor do I desire to have stacks of body wash piled up in my living room (a friend of mine the other day said, "the only difference between Hoarders and Extreme Couponers is how well organized their stuff is" - ha ha! So true!)

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I also wanted to get the kids really into the habit of doing their chores toward the end of summer vacation, so they would already be in the habit when school started. And yes, I start my children early with plenty of chores - Henry even helps clean up his room and take his clothes to the laundry room, like his sisters did at his age. I just think it's easier to get them started when they are still at the age that they like being helpful!

We have a giant bulletin board (you can see it here) divided into sections for each of the kids. I made little lists for each of the girls with their names and days of the week written on them, and then laminated them, so I could write in their chores (they change every couple of months) and fill in the circles every day with an overhead projector erasable marker

Along with their daily chores, the kids each have Saturday jobs.

The girls are pretty good now about some of these chores - they usually make their beds and take their dirty clothes to the laundry room without being reminded, and they like the satisfaction of having colored in circles enough that they will do their other chores too.

Amelia loves dusting! I collect old socks that have lost their partners, turn one inside out and slip it on her hand - and that girl will go to town on bookshelves and baseboards!