This morning, I am seriously considering our everyday winner gets a gift thing. It is becoming a chore for me with having to get something for the first to finish on a daily basis. At the end of the day, it is not only the winner who takes it. The loser also gets something because I cannot endure the cries and promises to do better next time.
At the beginning of this School session, I felt a little bit relaxed when it comes to morning rush. This is because the two “senior” girls have left for boarding School and it felt like “OK, with this two little ones, the work is reduced by half,” I was sooo wrong.
My mornings have always been full of activities, I had to write about what I do in the morning HERE. The two little girls at home becamelazy in the mornings. Is it because they miss their big sisters? OR because those who encouraged them sort of are not here?
My mornings have always been full of activities, I had to write about what I do in the morning HERE. The two little girls at home became
These two bubbly little 7 and 5 year old sisters suddenly became less enthusiastic in the morning. It now takes my having to just sit beside their bed, and continues tickling of their feet before they wake up. Ruttie is better I have to say, but her lil sis? “God help me not to spank her because that might make her leave for school unhappy.” There is no support system for us in the morning, Mum has to pack lunch boxes, Mum has to get everybody’s “table” set, Mum has to arrange Uniforms, polish School shoes, put the right undies and stockings on the Uniforms to avoid early morning confusion. Yet, this baby of the house who started off so well when she clocked five, and with that, encouraged me to put more responsibilities on her like letting her brush her teeth and even get a clean, I mean clean bath without supervision. She was so enthusiastic and didn’t want any one doing things for her the very month she clocked five. Kabstick learnt so fast.
When she is in the mood to clean, you won’t believe a five year old just cleaned your kitchen. Sounds unbelievable but it’s very true. When you begin to feel like ” OK, she is enjoying this and loves to do it” that is when she will prove you wrong. The day you ask her to do what she had been doing excellently, like mop the water she has just poured on the floor, that is when she will remind you that she is just five and then remind everyone that her hands are still too tiny for that sort of work.
I guess this is what she does when it comes to getting ready for school. After proving that she only needs a little help to take care of herself in the morning, now, she wants me to think that SHE is a little baby. It suddenly became stressful for me in the morning when I have to plead, tickle and give all the inspirational talks I know, before kids will get out of their pajamas. It will take more talking and convincing before they enter the bathroom.
While in the bathroom. there is a thousand and one complains about who is pressing the toothpaste wrongly, who is wasting the body wash, who is rubbing lather/foam on the other, who spat on another’s water or sponge, etc. The complain that comes frequently is the one that someone is CHEATING by not brushing their teeth for a long time, or that one sister did not scrub her feet well so that she’d be first to finish and take the prize.
This First to finish prize is something I should never have started. Although it is working wonders for me sha. It makes them jump out of bed and get out of their night wears in a hurry, but I am tired. For how long am I going to continue giving prizes to kids to keep them enthusiastic in the morning? The day we started THE WINNER GETS A PRIZE, was the day they stopped asking for breakfast before bath. They actually found a way of delaying entering the bathroom by asking for breakfast before bath. While I get the breakfast ready, they just continue to cool off, while the clock continues to tick. Although for Ruttie, I think it is difficult to go have a bath without putting some food in her stomach. But, for her sister, I get a feeling, it’s a delay tactic.
They leave early for School these days, I do not get burned out before they leave and I know the wonder working balm is the prizes they get for finishing first. What do I do? Is it OK to continue this way? I fear that the day I stop giving prizes, is the day we will return to lazy and sluggish mornings. They look forward to finishing first because of the prize, even though some times it’s just a snack. Am I being selfish? Am I spoiling these girls because I want a less stressful morning for myself? Are there other methods I can try? Can I spank a little? (spanking doesn’t fail o, the only thing is they leave for school looking unhappy) I honestly need you to share with me what you think, so that the girls and I can start 2013 on a new slate, with a new “morning method.”
Confused me! *places left palm on cheek*
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I enjoyed this and laughed at some points cos I could relate 🙂
I understand all about that early morning rush and the frenzy it gets one into. It should be easy, right? They're just kids, afterall.
I don't blame you for setting a reward system in place, though. What's a tired mummy gotta do? 😉
However, I think you should gradually taper it off so it doesn't become a case of no rewards, no hardwork. Maybe an occasional reward?
I hate having to spank too before they go to school but sometimes I do. These days, the knowledge that mummy just might raise that hand to that erring butt, keeps everyone in check.
Good luck with them and don't forget that children always test their boundaries to see which you'ð remove.
Thanks Dearie, I think I'd like to gradually taper it off, yes! so, it does not become a case of no reward, no hard work. Let's see if that keeps them in check.Thanks again.
You see, it goes to show how important it is to work with a number of strategies; giving rewards, spanking, discussing, making them feel your concerns, and a lot others when raising children. It is fun even though demanding. I had gone through many stages and see that children are children, no matter how grown up they become. Well done Eya.
Moms are awesome. My suggestion is to make it a weekly or monthly thing rather than daily. You can then start a table where you all record the daily winner and the person with most wins in the period gets the prize 🙂
Thanks Debby, Four tips from you. Issorait, I will try.
Thanks Myne, I had to go get a clean notebook ready for the records. They are in bed already,so, tomorrow evening we will have a talk.
I will suggest the weekly reward to them and see how it goes from there. Thanks.
Lolz aunty Eya u made it sound like fun to me,seriously u made we wish d trend continued. U made me remember when we always ran to dad in d mawning after brushing to show him how neat our teeths are. Plz don't spank them,ehen u can ask dia teacher to help u by reminding dem d punishment dat awaits latecomers,and dat their being late is always their fault. I remember respecting my teachers then more than my parents.
~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA3310
You have four girls????? Thumbs up ma, God will keep and help you o. In future, your is there waiting for you.
Lol. Love your blog. I just started reading your posts and I have to read all of them. Its fun sha. Now I have more things to read.
Thanks Ahdaisy, you are welcome!