Tricks and Chores

One quick easy trick to get your younger children to help you around the house!

Surprised Owen with Toy Story 4 for movie Friday. I might have left it out as an incentive.

I don't know how it is in your house, but in my house getting my 4 year old to do his chores can sometimes be challenging. For the most part, he has always been a really good helper. Yes, I got extremely blessed to have that little boy who loves to help me cook and even helps me do the laundry with out really having to bug him! Unfortunately, getting the boy to pick up his playroom is a nightmare. Can anyone relate? No? Well, there is no way it can just be me but we can pretend.

“The positive reinforcement of "Movie Friday"is also something that gives us fun and easy family time.”

We have come up with a way, in our house, to get Owen to pick up his toys. Yes, and WITHOUT a fight. Can you believe it? I was really wondering if the first week was just a fluke. Week after week though, it has been so successful. Are you ready to hear the best part about it? Yes, I know you are wondering what could be better then a kid not fighting you to pick up their toys. This positive reinforcement is also something that gives us fun, and easy family time.

MOVIE FRIDAY:

In our house "Movie Friday" is consistent each week. Once Owen gets up from quiet time (3:30), he knows that it is time to clean up the play room and his bedroom. So, I remind him when I get him up. We used to actually eat out for pizza every week, but lets be honest...... I'm CHEAP! LOL. Once you add up the pizza, a salad, an icee (yes he used to ask for one every week), and well it was "Movie Friday" how can fun "Movie Friday Mom" say no????), and a beer for my husband and me it really really started to add up. These days, we get the pizza to go and have the rest of the fun stuff at home.

MOVIE FRIDAY TREATS:

Alright, now here's the BIG trick. You have to shrug off all the sugar and know it's just once a week. You can't be worried about calories when enjoying "Movie Friday Treats". Owen is in charge of distributing out all the treats in our individual bowls . Yes, roll your eyes, if you must.... HA!! it's ok!! If you are a control freak like I am, that may be a bit hard to accept.....Just trust me. Its worth it!!!

TREAT LIST:

Popcorn

Chocolate (We aren't picky)

Twizzlers (They are my weakness)

Sour Gummy Bears

“You can't be worried about calories when enjoying Movie Friday Treats!!”

Pick a movie the whole family will love. Yes, let your kids choose. If they are too young, you may have to help. I might still have a large influence on what movies we watch. Helps bring out everyone's inner child and yet gets chores done. Don't forget, it helps you spend quality family time once a week and stay on a budget!!!

OTHER TIPS:

If you have multiple children with chores and they have to get done for "Movie Friday" to happen, make a chart! Put it somewhere for the whole family to see. Encourage your children to remind each other of their weekly chores so you can keep "Movie Friday".

We recently had some difficult behaviors going on with Owen. He got "Movie Friday" taken away on a Thursday. It killed me!!! I love "Movie Friday", its movie night, I don't have to cook and well of course...treats!!!! I mean there are soo many reasons to be upset. I talked to him after he got in trouble. I told him if he changed those behaviors the rest of that day and all day on Friday he could earn it back. GUESS WHAT? He earned it back and acted even better than he normally does.

So Moms, I'll leave you with this. Use "Movie Friday" to your advantage and Enjoy it!

Till the next mess arrives,

Dana