Babysitting Manners & Etiquette for Young Ladies

We recently had a "Manners & Etiquette" class for the 12 & 13 year old girls (Beehives) in our church youth group.  I was asked to do a segment on Babysitting Manners & Etiquette for them.  In order to make my presentation more complete, I asked my Facebook friends for contributions... and boy, did it get people fired up!  As it turns out, many of the experiences my friends had with their babysitters weren't isolated incidents.  They were shared.  [Apparently, babysitters these days need a little training!]  I was able to fit each suggestion into one of three categories: "Do," "Don't Do" and "Know."

DO: 

• For an infant, keep a log of when they ate and how much, when they were changed, etc for the parents.

• Do any chores the parents asked you to do (like rinse off dishes).

• Put the kids to bed on time (not too early, not late) and in their pajamas, not their clothes/shoes, and with teeth brushed.

• Close curtains/blinds and turn on the front porch light when it gets dark.  Keep the front door locked at all times.

• Clean up after yourself and the kids -- leave the house cleaner than you found it.

• Give the kids your full attention at all times -- play with them!

• Bring your own snacks/sack lunch if you'll be there a while.

• Change diapers, especially poopy ones!  If you aren't willing to change diapers, don't babysit kids in diapers. 

• Be kind to house pets or leave them alone.

• At least rinse dishes and stack them neatly in the sink -- even better, load them into the dishwasher.

DO NOT:

• Do not go into the parent's bedroom (unless the crib is in there).

• Do not talk on the phone/text/play iPod or video games (ok once kids are asleep and house is tidy).

• Do not yell or raise your voice to the kids.

• Do not invite anyone over without prior approval from the parents -- NO BOYS, PERIOD.

• Do not open the door for anyone.

• Do not eat anything unless the parents offer it for you to have while you are there (ok to eat what the kids are eating).

• Do not watch movies/TV unless the parents said it was okay, and never the whole time.

• Do not use the computer/internet while babysitting.

• Do not put the kids to bed with snacks (sticky/crumbs in bed - yuck!)

• Do not take the kids anywhere, even if the park is close by.

KNOW:

• Know where the address and parents' phone numbers are written in case of an emergency.

• Know basic child development: infant, toddler, preschooler -- for instance, know how to calm a fussy baby (do not ignore the baby!)

• Know basic first aid/choking/CPR

• Know where the parents will be if you can't get a hold of them in an emergency on their cell phone.

• Know that kids tell their parents everything... and often ask for a specific sitter they like.  Behave accordingly!

• Know if the kids have any allergies or restrictions on what they can eat or do.

• Know what the expectations/rules are for the kids and let the parents know if there were any problems.

• Know basic safety (don't leave kids unattended in the tub, don't leave knives within reach of kids, supervise kids when eating,etc.)

• Know some fun games to play with the kids to keep them entertained (however, hide and seek is not necessarily a good idea)

• Know what your fee will be when people ask.  Know what a fair asking price is for babysitters in your area.  (When you are paid, don't count your money in front of the parents.)

As a follow up to this segment, and because of the responses I received from friends, we have decided to teach a babysitting series of classes ranging from first aid/CPR to child development and ending with putting together a babysitting kit with things and ideas to keep kids entertained.  [For those who are LDS, if you teach a full series that takes 10 or more hours to complete, the girls who participate in all the activities can count it for a Personal Progress Value Project for Knowledge.]  

Interestingly enough, we determined that in many instances, parents who are hiring babysitters need a few tips on etiquette and manners as well.  Such as: leave the babysitter with a basically tidy/clean house, pay a little extra if the babysitter goes above and beyond, arrange a babysitter ahead of time (like 24 hours, at least) and not wait till the last minute, commit to a time you'll be home and call if you're running late, etc.  These came from the girls doing the babysitting.  :)

Feel free to comment with additional ideas for babysitting manners & etiquette you would add to this list for the benefit of other readers.  We just expect that many of our young ladies simply know how to babysit and care for children, but when we educate them, they can become much better and more valuable babysitters for our children and our communities!

  

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com and follow me on twitter @cleverhomeblog

Motherhood...

My new favorite quote! :)

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com and follow me on twitter @cleverhomeblog

Cleaning with Kids

I tried a different approach this past week when we teamed up as a family to clean house, and it really worked!

I went to each room that needed cleaning and wrote down all the individual tasks that needed doing. I put the list of tasks on a small piece of paper and taped it to the light switch in that room.

Because the cleaning was broken down into small tasks, it all got done! (These lists are for weekly cleaning tasks, not heavy deep cleaning, and we started in the morning when the house was still reasonably tidy.)

For example, the kitchen list looked like this:

KITCHEN
	dispose of leftovers in fridge
	wipe down fridge & dishwasher doors/handles
	scour sink & faucet, rinse well
	wipe down counters with disinfectant
	clean microwave inside & out
	clean stove top (& pans), wipe down front
	sweep and mop floor
	empty trash & recycling
	add to the shopping list any supplies needed

The kids would mark off what they completed, but left the lists in place. I came through when they were done and double checked that each task had been completed properly.

There were a few things that I marked with an "M" meaning Mom would do them (toilets, for example). Mostly because I knew otherwise, they wouldn't get done! :)

I typed the lists up and will just print, cut, and tape the lists up next time. There's something about being able to mark something off a list that is incredibly satisfying, even for kids. :)

My house was clean in record time and I was one happy momma!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com and follow me on twitter @cleverhomeblog

Waste Not...

I have recently discovered Raising Olives. (So many great ideas for families large and small!) I learned a really cool tip I had to share...

To cut down on wasted toilet paper (you know, when little people take more than they need off the roll because they just pull and tear without thinking...?), before you put place the toilet paper on the roll, smash it so that you bend and flatten the cardboard tube. It won't be as quick to unroll 3 feet when you only want/need half of that. Brilliant! :)

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Summer Game-Plan

Summer is full of carefree, lazy days. Well, mostly. Around here, we thrive on routine. So, we have a "Summer Schedule" that still allows for hours of free time each day, but the structure that my children need as well. Summer is also a great time to instigate a chore chart system for your children. I am still selling my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks system on Etsy if you're interested. ;)

Our Summer Schedule:

Wake - 9:30am: Breakfast, AM Lists, Morning Jobs, then TV time (cartoons!)

9:30 - 11:30 am: Free Time or Outing (Library, Park, etc)

11:30 - 12:00pm: Lunch

12:00 - 1:30pm: Quiet Time

1:30 - 2:30pm: Free Time

2:30 - 3:30pm: Summer School

3:30 - 4:00pm: Cleaning Jobs

4:00 - 5:30pm: TV / Movie / Free time

5:30pm: Dinner

6:00 - 8:00pm: Evening Jobs, PM Lists, Reading Time, Family Time

In the morning, the TV doesn't go on for cartoons till all the other items are completed. During the summer we do "Summer School" with our kids -- workbooks and activities to keep their minds sharp between the previous school year and the next. "Cleaning Jobs" are additional responsibilities that we give our children during the summer, and they change every day.

For details on what AM / PM Lists and Morning / Evening Jobs entail, see my post "Family Economic System: Chore Charts & Kid Bucks System."

This schedule is, of course, flexible. We're going to be going to the library once a week, and hoping to do a lot of in-town stay-cation-ing too. :)

Have a great summer!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Scuffs & Scrapes

Today is Sunday and had me thinking about how I camouflage the scuffs on my little boys' church shoes. They grow so fast that I just buy the cheapy shoes for them. Every once in a while, though, they manage to scuff the toes. Depending on the shoe, my approach may or may not work for your little guy's shoes. :)

For black dress shoes, when the scuff rubs off the black of the shoe, I take a permanent marker and color it in. Then take petroleum jelly and rub it into the spot to "shine" it. Rub off the excess.

(Nearly) good as new!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

How to Teach a Child to Swallow Pills

When my oldest daughter was small, she had a very strong gag reflex (still does, actually). Liquid medicine often made her gag. She just couldn't swallow the stuff, and often ended up vomiting instead -- which made it difficult when it was something she had to have, such as an antibiotic or allergy medicine.

We taught her to swallow pills at a young age with Tic-Tacs. She'd practice swallowing the tic-tacs with a little bit of water by putting the tic-tac on the back of her tongue, taking a sip of water, tilting her head back, and swallowing. If she didn't swallow the tic-tac, it didn't get yucky-tasting on the back of her tongue. It only took a few tries and she had it mastered. Good luck!

**Disclaimer: Read labels carefully. Adhere strictly to dosage guidelines that are appropriate for your child's age and weight. MOST pills that are designed to be swallowed are NOT in dosages appropriate for children. Some prescriptions (like antibiotics) can be dosed for children in a swallow-able pill format. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the appropriate medicine and dosage for your child.

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

General Conference Packets

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am looking forward to the General Conference of the church this coming weekend. We will get the chance to hear from our church leaders, including our beloved prophet. The wonderful folks over at Sugardoodle have created a page of links to Conference Packets for children and youth to keep them focused during the conference (and give their parents a chance to listen!). Check out the link below. Thank you, Sugardoodle!!

Sugardoodle's 2010 General Conference Packets

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Sunday Bag

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka, the "Mormons"). Just like many church-going folks, I find it a struggle to keep my younger children occupied while sitting through weekly church meetings. In order to get something out of the meetings, I need to find ways to keep my little ones occupied with quiet, non-messy, un-distracting things to do. Since my children were little, we have tried and failed and succeeded at this objective, depending on the day. :) Below are a few things that have aided our moments of success:

• Lift-the-Flap books. My littlest ones would sit with these books for at least 10-15 minutes at a time. Awesome! Keep a stash separate from the kids' book collection and rotate them in your Sunday bag.
  
• Look & Find books. These are my FAVORITE Sunday-bag item. Similar to "Where's Waldo?" books, they have things hidden in the pictures that the child has to find. They are made by many publishers and come in varieties ranging from photo look & find's to scripture character look & find's. Check out your local bookstore and your local library. Just like the Lift-the-Flap books, rotate them in your Sunday bag.
• Magnetic writer. They come in the brand-name "Magna-Doodle" but many toy manufacturers make them. They let kids draw and create and erase, all without the mess of crayons and paper.
• Church magazines. Our church puts out the Friend Magazine for children. It is full of stories, pictures, and activities for children ages 3-11. We bring the current month's Friend, along with a few past issues, in our Sunday bag for the younger children to look at and/or read.
• Church-based board books. These can get heavy, so we rotate them in the Sunday bag. You can get these online or at your local LDS bookstore.
  
• What other tricks do YOU put in your "Sunday bag?" Leave a comment... It'll be great to get other people's ideas! :)
  

Now, a couple of DON'T's that have aided our success as well:

• No food for kids older than 18 months. We made the family rule that once our child was in Nursery (18 months), we would no longer bring snacks for during Sacrament Meeting (our main meeting, usually the first 70 minutes or so of church). My logic in doing so was that our child would get a snack in Nursery so he/she wouldn't need one during Sacrament Meeting. (It's only 70 minutes -- any kid can go 70 minutes without eating at that age.) Until they hit 18 months, we only brought spill-proof sippy cups or bottles and small, non-sticky, non-crumbly snacks like Cheerios or Goldfish crackers. In our church, kids can expect to get a snack in Nursery till they're 3, almost 4. After that age, they can handle not having food for 3 hours during the day. I feed them a substantial meal before we leave, and we have snacks or a meal (depending on the time of day) just after we get home.
  
• The Sunday bag stays closed until after the Sacrament. The Sacrament is administered about 30 minutes into the meeting. Before then is the singing of hymns, announcements, church callings are given, etc. I figure the sooner the bag is opened, the sooner it will loose their interest. With the goal to be to get through the end of the meeting before they completely loose interest in the Sunday bag, I figure it's best to put off getting it out until as far into the meeting as I can. Plus, I want to be able to sit through the Sacrament without the distraction of kids digging into the bag for something else to do and /or the mess of stuff created by them doing so. :) Besides, if the goal is to be thinking about Jesus during the Sacrament, can they really be doing that while they're busy with something else? They know that the bag stays shut until after the Sacrament, so they get better and better at practicing sitting quietly withOUT the stuff in the bag to distract them just yet.
  
• Nix the crayons & coloring books. These, I have to admit, I am NOT a fan of bringing to church. Ever since my youngest decided that coloring on a pew would be great fun, we have excluded these from our Sunday bag and we haven't missed them a bit. I no longer have to scramble around at the end of the meeting, making sure we got all the crayons back in the bag. I don't have to help a child find a particular color while I'm trying to listen to the meeting. I don't have to pass the bag of crayons from one child to the next. Yeah, don't miss that a bit. :) We take the magnetic writer mentioned above instead.
  
• The Sunday bag is off-limits once my kids hit the age of 10. At that age, they are allowed a lined notebook and pencil. What they choose to do with it is up to them. :) My daughter (12) likes to take notes. When she was younger she liked to draw in it.
  

What have you found to be helpful in keeping children quite and undistractING to others during Sunday meetings??

Looking forward to the comments on this one!




p.s. This is my family's personal take on stuff during church, and I know everyone won't agree. But there it is. Take it or leave it. :)

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks

I just re-listed my Chore Charts and Kid Bucks system on Etsy!

Now that I am working full time, I am only offering the digital PDF version of my chore charts system. They come with simple instructions for assembling them yourself. Please see my Etsy listing for more information. Thanks!

My Etsy Listing
My Chore Charts & Kid Bucks System




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Biscuit Personal Pizzas

These are SOOOOOO yummy!!

Buy a package of the "jumbo" biscuits. Roll them out flat. Sprinkle cornmeal on your cookie sheet before putting the rolled-out biscuits on them. Top the flattened biscuit with a couple tablespoons of pizza sauce, a handful of mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings.

Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is just starting to brown.

These are a new household favorite around here (and not just with the kiddos)!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Blogging Safety

I read a post on Mormon Mommy Blogs by Heather about safety when blogging. This blog post by Heather says everything I've ever thought about safety while blogging. She earns a gold star from me today!!

My family blog is kept private and I've very picky about who I allow to see my blog. Even with those things said, I don't include many "identifying" tidbits on my family blog (such as address, etc) because I'm freaked out about internet safety.

I am going to copy and paste her blog post below because I feel it is really important -- but please check out her original post as well. I've linked to it HERE. Be careful, people!! All too often I see party invitations, announcements, etc with names, addresses, pictures on PUBLIC (as opposed to private) blogs. We live in a really scary world. Be careful!! As the title of Heather's blog post says it best, "Better Safe Than Sorry."

The blogging community is awesome. I’m sure all of you agree. We read about each other’s lives, we leave validation in the forms of comments and emails; we rally around crises together and support each other’s businesses. It’s a large sisterhood we’ve got going on here. It’s a wonderful one.

We feel safe with each other. We understand each other. But, even in this environment of love and friendship there is something I just don’t get. I just don’t get at all.

It’s like laying out a Welcome Mat for Trouble.

It’s like sending a Pedophile a personalized invitation.

It’s like waving a banner that says, “Here I am! Hurt me!”

What could I possibly be talking about? I’m talking about the information that I occasionally come across on public blogs that literally makes me wince. For example: Pictures of the front of the family home. Pictures of children standing outside their classrooms –which include their teacher’s name and room number, complete addresses and phone numbers, invitations which include date, time, and directions to a person’s house. Information, in short, that can lead a “stranger danger” right to your front door.

It’s a scary thing folks, it seriously is.

I saw a news report a while back where some reporters set up an experiment with some parent volunteers. The parent stood in a room watching a reporter *a.k.a. complete stranger to their child* talk their children into getting into a car with them. Parent after parent stood in shock as their child who “would never get into a car with a stranger” got into the car. Over and over again.

Think about it. You have no way of knowing who exactly is checking in on your blog. Chances are that the people who do read your blog know what you look like, know what children look like, know their names, know their interests… You get the idea.

A long time ago a friend of mine was in an abusive marriage. She was able to get her and her daughter away. She has since remarried and has some more adorable children. Well guess who recently showed up at her door one night, when her husband wasn’t home? Her ex-husband. How did he find her? Her neighbor’s blog.

It’s a true story.

I’d just like to remind all of you that what you share with us, you are also sharing with the rest of the world. Be careful about what you’re posting. It’ll help keep you and your family (and possibly your neighbor’s family too) safe.

That’s all. I am now stepping off my soapbox.



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

10 Germ Bustin' Tips

With the piggy-flu and all, this time of year is especially bothersome with all the germs floating around. Arm yourself and your family against the germs with the following tips:

1. Wash hands properly. Kids try to get away with just wetting their hands and calling it good. I often tell my kids, "If you don't use soap, you're just getting the germs wet!" Teach and practice proper hand-washing methods. Lather with soap for at least 15-20 seconds, scrubbing the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

2. Wash your hands frequently. Especially before you eat and first thing when you get home. Don't let the germs your hands have gathered from school, the grocery store, etc get any further into your home than your sink with hot, soapy water.

3. Use the disinfecting wipes at the grocery store to disinfect the handle of the grocery cart. Those handles have been known to carry germs from saliva, bacteria, and even fecal matter. Ick!! If your store doesn't supply them, suggest it to manager. In the meantime, carry a few in a plastic bag in your purse. Plus, ALWAYS put meat in the plastic bags from the meat department. It'll prevent adding more germs to the mix and possible cross-contamination if it leaks on your other groceries (ewww).

4. Disinfect that kitchen sponge. It's fairly common knowledge that the kitchen sponge is the place with the most germs in your home. To disinfect it you can run it through your dishwasher OR you can put it on a plate and microwave it for 2-3 minutes or until it is dry (but watch it so it doesn't ignite and never microwave a sponge with metal fibers!). Replace your sponge every 2 weeks, tops. Another option is to use a dishtowel instead, and replace it with a fresh one every morning. If you do that, be sure to wash them in hot water with a little bleach to disinfect them.

5. Teach kids to not put their mouths on the spigot of the drinking fountain -- only in the stream of water. The spigot is covered with germs and it's like sharing a drinking cup with the whole school (!). Better yet, send them with their own water bottle if the school will allow it. Label it with their name.

6. Use hand sanitizer frequently! Keep it away from small children and don't use it with kids who put their hands in their mouths -- it is alcohol based, after all. (Use a wet-wipe instead.) One place that has lots of germs is the playground. Don't forget to use it often while you're there. Don't bring those germs home!

7. Wash your hands after doing laundry. Wet laundry has E-coli all over it. Wash underwear and towels in hot water. Use bleach when you can. Knock those germs out of the park!

8. Disinfect door knobs and handles at least once a week, more often when someone at home is sick. Use a disinfecting wipe or spray.

9. Your kitchen sink harbors the most germs in your home. Clean it regularly, especially after preparing food and anytime it comes in contact with raw meat. For tips on how to clean your sink, click here.

10. Teach and practice proper methods when sneezing or coughing: do it in your elbow and NOT on your hands.

Have any other tips for eliminating germs in your home/family and staying healthy this flu season? Leave me a comment! :)




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Halloween Loot Tote

What do you use to tote all that Halloween loot?

We purchase gift bags with handles. You can usually find ones that are either Halloween themed (like my cute pumpkin one, pictured) or ones that coordinate with your child's costume. For instance, if daughter-dearest is going to be a princess, you can get a gift bag that has princesses on it.

The bags are perfect because they are just the right size, they're easy to carry, the handles won't break, and they fold flat if you want to save them for next year!




p.s. There's less than a week till the Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Giveaway ends! Don't forget to enter!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Re-Prints

I've had a few past clients request re-prints of my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks, so I thought it would be good to post my re-print prices. Re-prints are usually requested when a parent decides to change one of the lines on the Chore Chart, the jobs on the chore cards, the choices on the Kid Buck Menu, an item or two on the AM/PM list, or the graphics on the Kid Bucks. The system is one that can change as your children grow and are able to take on more responsibility!

Just as a review, my new prices for ORIGINALS are:
$25 per child (printed/assembled/shipped)
~ OR ~
$15 per child in PDF format (emailed, you print/assemble).

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Re-Print Prices:

PDF format prices are $3 per item WITH changes. I reserve the right to change re-print prices if changes are extensive. Add $5 shipping per order/family.

Re-Printed/Assembled With NO Changes		Re-printed/Assembled WITH Minimal Changes
Chore Chart	$ 3 each	Chore Chart	$ 5 each
Chore Cards	$ 1 per pair/child	Chore Cards	$ 2 per pair/child
AM/PM List	$ 3 each	AM/PM List	$ 5 each
Set of Kid Bucks	$ 5 each set	Set of Kid Bucks	$ 7 each set

Thank you!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

School Zone Safety

Please accept my apology for my lapse in blogging lately. I just moved my family 1000 miles with about 10 days' notice. (CRAZINESS!!) So... I've restored enough order to my life and home to resume blogging.

Since school starts for my kids tomorrow, I thought I'd share a really great article I read in the newspaper this morning... It helps clarify the laws regarding school zones and increases understanding about them and why they're structured the way they are. The entire article is on the Tacoma News Tribune website, but my favorite points include:

• The speed limit in a school zone is only 20 mph because research shows that "a child has approximately an 80% chance of surviving if struck by a car going 20 mph, versus an 80% chance of being killed [or a 20% chance of survival] if struck by a car going 27-28 mph. Plus, according to the article, it only saves about 6 seconds to go 8 mph faster through an average 600-ft-long school zone. It's just not worth six seconds!!
• Fines for school zone speed violations are double the normal fine for speeding and, in Washington state, cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended.
• School zones with signage that states "... when children are present" are in effect anytime children are present, year-round, 24-hours-a-day.

• Stopping for a school bus: I had to quote the entire paragraph, because it is just that important: "You must stop behind a school bus with its lights flashing red and stop sign extended if you are in the same lane or an adjacent lane -- either in the same direction or an opposite direction -- or if it's at an intersection you're approaching... Don't start again until the signals are turned off and children have left the roadway." You do NOT have to stop for a school bus when the stopped bus "is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway has three or more marked traffic lanes, is separated by a median, or is separated by a physical barrier."

Please note that these laws and requirements are only applicable in Washington State, although laws around the country are fairly similar. Be sure to check with your own state to determine laws and requirements specific to your community.

Here's to a safe school year!!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks are on Etsy!!

I've set up shop on Etsy to make it easier to purchase my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks system. Please visit my Clever Homemaking Etsy Shop (click here) to purchase my completely customized system!

I also altered the pricing to make it simpler. They are priced as a set "per child." Each "set" for sale consists of one chore chart with two chore cards, one AM/PM list, and one set of Kid Bucks (8 bills each of 1's, 5's, 10's, 20's, 50's, and 100's). Also included are one Kid Buck Menu and Allowance Chart per family.

Please see the Etsy listing for more details including current pricing, or feel free to contact me at cleverhomemaking at gmail dot com.

Thanks!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Making the Bed of a Potty-Trainer

When your child is in the midst of potty training and has an accident in the middle of the night, you are so very tired that the last thing you want to do is remake the bed - right?

So don't. :)

Make the bed up to start with like this:
1st layer: waterproof pad/cover
2nd layer: fitted sheet
3rd layer: another waterproof pad/cover
4th layer: fitted sheet
(then proceed as usual)

When your potty trainer has an accident in the middle of the night, all you have to do is pull off a couple of layers and "TA-DA!" the bed is ready for sleeping again in no time flat.

Sweet dreams!



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Summer Enrichment

Around here we subject our children to something we call "Summer School." We started doing it the summer before our oldest (who is going into 6th grade this year) started kindergarten and we've done it ever since. We just felt it was really important that our kids not loose what they learned during the year over summer break.

In the beginning, we used homemade flashcards and workbook pages. Now, we have combined the benefits of multiple sources, such as:

• Summer Bridge Books (daily worksheets that last the entire summer) Published by Rainbow Bridge Publishing ~ check half.com, Amazon.com, or your local Barnes & Noble
  
• Flashcards (store-bought and homemade)
• Workbooks (for the grade they've just completed, purchased just about anywhere)
• The internet: worksheets and websites for learning as well as ideas for activities (see below)
  
• Field Trips to local museums, art exhibits, etc.

Some of our favorite websites for kids' learning:

• Starfall.com
• Utah Education Network
• Read.Write.Think.
• Rainforest Maths
• Handwriting for Kids
• Summerbrains.com (coordinates w/Summer Bridge books)
• PBS Kids ZOOM
• Kids Science Experiments
• Family Fun's Summer Ideas
  

[Have I missed any good ones??]

We spend about 30 minutes a day on "schoolwork." I start them each with Summer Bridge Activities worksheets. When they're done, the younger ones do flashcards, games, and/or reading with me while their older sister reads a book on her own from the suggested books her teacher gave her or from the library's list of recommended titles for her age group.

Summer reading is something I want to be fun. We aim for about 30 minutes of reading each day in addition to our school work. We usually stick to something that is fairly easy to read and is a topic of the child's own choosing. My middle child (who just graduated from Kindergarten) chose a few books at the library that are good ones for me to read to him, and we are continuing to make our way through the McOmber Readers that he reads to me. My youngest (3) and I read picture books together. Sometimes my daughter reads to her brothers, which gets all three kids to do their reading at the same time. :) It just depends on the day.

We are also planning a once-a-week outing to somewhere fun but with a purpose. For instance, my kids love the Bean Museum on BYU campus. It has lots of "stuffed animals" on display. We talk about where the animal lived, what it ate, what kind of noise it made (if applicable), and anything else interesting about it. We are also planning on visiting the Paleontology Museum at BYU and the BYU Art Museum's Walter Wick exhibit.

Here's to a fun summer of learning!!




p.s. And just so you don't think I'm all work and no play, we'll be spending plenty of time at the local playgrounds, running through the backyard sprinklers, and catching a matinee show at the movie house every once in a while. :)

Pinatas

I got this great idea from a friend of mine. It's GENIUS!

You know when you have a pinata at a kids' birthday party and the scramble after leaves some kids with a stash and others in tears?

Before stuffing the pinata with candy, put the candy in little baggies. You could even put kids' names on them to make the scramble interesting. :) Every child gets the same amount of candy and all is fair. No tears!