Working

Teaching the kids to clean is really paying off! Six year-olds can (and like) to vacuum, fold laundry, wipe sinks and wash base boards. Four year-olds like to scrub dishes, wipe the table, make a bed, empty trashes and stack books. Mikey can make his diaper. And throw it away. Commission of 10 cents a chore. Not bad daily earnings! Robyn wants to save to get her "ears pinched." Holly is saving for a Jim Gill CD. Mikey owes us $50 to replace a key fob he threw in the trash and the phone he drowned.

Each child has a "zone" for a week, and a 3X5 card with the work. When they're done they return the card to me and get big hugs. We help them with their zones. They are playing with more of their toys since we cleaned out the toys and got rid of almost everything. It's not easy, but we're happier and I'm actually spending more time with the kids this way.