Summer Time Woes
We are about half way through the summer and my children are officially ready to go back to school. Unfortunately, we still have six more weeks left--not only for their sake but mine as well. Don't get me wrong I love my children dearly, but they seem to do better when they are busy all the time.
It seems that every child seems to test you in different ways. Over the past few weeks our child (Jared) that is usually the most passive, easy going, and pretty content has turned into a different individual all together. He has become very disrespectful at times, does not listen at all, complains the minute he wakes up, and is constantly teasing his brothers ALL the time! It seems that threatening to take away toys, taking away tv/x-box/friends and loosing other priviledges just isn't cutting it. So today Doug and I sat down and said a prayer to help us know what to do. We then sat down with Jared and asked him if things were bothering him. And explain why he was acting this way. We didn't get much of a response since he was put under the spotlight. After all, kids normally act out when they want attention. It then occurred to us that Jared didn't have this behavior when school was in, but began once school let out. We have been busy with swim team, but he still complains that he is BORED! Needless to say I have had it up to my neck with that word!!!!
So, Doug and I came up with the solution that our kids need an hour by hour schedule. I know that when they are in school each hour has a specific thing whether they are at P.E., Centers, Reading, etc. So we decided to type one up and post it in the kitchen. Therefore, when they wake up he knows exactly what he is supposed to do. I am hoping that this will work. Because right now I am going a little crazy with this "new" behavior!
So we sat down with Taylor & Jared and we came up with this:
Monday-Friday
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8:00- 8:30am Make bed /say prayers/get dressed
8:30-9:00am Breakfast/brush teeth/computer time9:00-10:00am Chores
10:00-11:30am Errands
11:30-12:00pm- Lunch
12:00-1:00pm School Workbooks/Worksheets/Journal Writing/Reading/Art--They choose
1:00- 2:00pm Free Time/Quiet Time (by yourself)
2:00-3:00pm X-Box
3:00-3:30pm Snack
3:30-4:30pm Pick up house
4:30-5:30pm Playtime-outside
5:30-6:30pm TV
6:30-7:00pm Dinner
7:00-7:30pm Bath
7:30-7:45pm Scripture Study/Family Prayer
7:45-8:30pm Reading Time-Bed
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Of course some it is subject to change depending on what we are doing, but I am hoping a more ridged schedule with help. It's not like we sit at home everyday. I take them to the waterpark at least once a week, we sometimes eat out for lunch, go to the library and they play with their friends. Well, at any rate I am anxious to see the results.
**what do you do when your kids are complaining/busy?**
Happy Birthday to Jill
The glue that holds us bloggers together!!
