I’ve always been a fan of lists and charts, and over a couple of decades of making them have come to realise a few things.
a) I like making them more than following them
b) Some are incredibly useful and others – more than useless. They create a type of bondage.
c) That the usefulness of the useful ones comes down to a few points
– most importantly – that I have done the thinking ahead of time
– that everyone can see and know the expectation/plan/preparations
– they assisted the transfer of responsibility from parent to child over time
Of all the lists and charts I’ve ever made, the ones that have proven the most useful over many years are these:
The bedtime checklist means I didn’t have to say the same 5 things to multiple children, multiple times a night. I could simply say when it was time for bedtime jobs and let that be that. Which also means having the fortitude to carry through on the consequence of not having done any of those things – depending on age/context of course.
(Toilet, teeth, teddy, water, PJ’s)
The morning checklist is similar to the above.
(get dressed, pack bag, brush teeth, school notes etc)
iii) my shopping list
My shopping list has evolved over time into one that sometimes includes a spot for menu making or best price guide for teenagers taking on the task
iv) my holiday and camping list
The holiday list includes some random things we learned we’d appreciate having by not having had them in the early years of holidaying with small children. Also a bit of a checklist like arranging pet care, checking oil/water in the car
The term overview was one that was really just for me and its huge benefit was in me being able to see how to fit (and IF) all the new growth/freedom/activities each term could bring. Different sports after school – where there was margin, and how I could achieve what was needed. Having this helped me see the 2 nights a week for one season where I needed to pack a picnic tea for the kids due to evening commitments making it worth the added difficulty/opportunity.
This one is purely a sample of one term in our life when we had 6 kids in school with a variety of activities and other families to factor in. Its value lay in preparing me for the 10 week run – without needing to continually stop and think to try and remember all the elements.
If you make a simple table – factor in everything from rising time in the morning to the last planned activity at night. Then try and create gaps as invariably everything takes longer than has been allowed for!
The term overview was one that was really just for me and its huge benefit was in me being able to see how to fit (and IF) all the new growth/freedom/activities each term could bring. Different sports after school – where there was margin, and how I could achieve what was needed. Having this helped me see the 2 nights a week for one season where I needed to pack a picnic tea for the kids due to evening commitments making it worth the added difficulty/opportunity.
Strangely no child ever took up the well paid opportunity to clean the oven. But this chart saw lots of extra things being done around Christmas and meant the payment was consistent over time!
Great job!!!!!
As usual!!!
Bless ya 🙂 xx