Hi Everyone, Years ago I'd ask on this board, "What would you do if your kids were still 7?" I received great advice (re: homeschooling), so I'd ask the question anew every year. Now that my boys are 18, I keep thinking that I wish I'd taught a, b, and c when they were little. My boys are wonderful people. However, there is a enormous chunk of skills that I didn't think to teach. When it came to chores, I started them at age 6 emptying the dishwasher. I kept plates and bowls in a low cupboard so that they could reach. Years later, they're great about the dishwasher. I had the right instinct, but that's as far as I got. When the boys were young I wish I'd taught chores with the end-game being not cleanliness (which is what I did) -- but a familiarity with the tool (the vacuum, the broom, the dust pan, the sponge and so forth). I wish I'd prepared a chores list w/ two or three chores a day. Again, not so the house would sparkle -- because he's six, right? -- but so he's familiar with contributing to chores. Once the chores-habit is established, it'll be so much easier to reinforce when they're teens. Also note that I wouldn't let little people use products other than baking soda and vinegar. Again, this chore-list isn't meant for cleanliness as much as it is for familiarity and habit: Dusting (tool familiarity: dusting cloth. Our house captures dust like you wouldn't believe.) Vacuuming the hallway, the stairway, the living room and so forth (tool familiarity: vacuum; not all rooms on same day. Also teach how to empty cannister/bag). Sweeping kitchen (tool familiarity: broom, dustpan). Cleaning downstairs bathroom (tool familiarity: sponge and toilet bowl cleaner thingy, but without products other baking soda and vinegar, Supervise.) Taking out kitchen garbage if they're big enough and replacing bag. Bringing down all laundry from their room on a particular day. Removing garbage in car (later go through bag for valuables). Retrieve tennis balls from backyard that dog didn't retrieve. After weekly trash pick-up, bring big trash barrel into its home in garage. Cleaning the kitchen sink (tool: sponge and baking soda). Cooking one meal a week (with your help, but giving the child the applause; have him cook something easy like spaghetti.) Same w/ baking. Tidying own bedroom once a week (I'd ask him/her to put 10 pieces of trash into trash bag -- check for valuables --, 10 books back on shelf, tidy bed so it looks made, find two "homes" for two toys (explain to littles why each toy needs it's own home), put away 5 pieces of clothing. I don't have my kids do much for the animals because the animals are so important to me. I don't want the dog accidentally going without water. Plus cleaning the cat box daily or picking up the dog's waste in the yard just doesn't seem sanitary for the little people.) I'm sorry I've written such a novel!! I'm sure a lot of you are smarter than me, and your kids already cook full dinners etc. I just wanted to share what I wish I'd done! If I've forgotten anything, just ask! Have fun, you guys, these young years are so awesome!! ♥, Wendy

That's what I was thinking!! (((Saraha)))

(((MrsTiggywinkle))) This is awesome advice from hjffkj! I wanted to add: do you listen to an ipod that you can bring with you (w/ headphones)? Listening to my favorite podcasts or music would really help me. We brought an entire laptop so that our little guy could watch Thomas the Tank while he/we waited. Really helped. Hugs to you!! And yay re; your masters!! That's incredible!!

The opinion of homeschool parents -- a bunch of go-getters -- means everything to me. Thank you so much. (Teared up.)

Thanks for sharing! The vet says my kitty needs to lose like half a cat!

I bought a used book on teaching writing through movies. It was a lot of fun. We'd watch the movie and then have writing assignments around the movie. I'm not sure that book is in print anymore, but this looks similar. Also, I was still reading aloud to my 14 and 15 year olds for bonding, but also because I wanted to talk about the books rather than only read a report from them. So I remember reading Tom Sawyer and then Huckleberry Finn. And Fahrenheit 451. If I had to do it over again, I'd make sure that the boys read about Winston Churchill. I never studied him in school and didn't know much about the guy who practically saved us from Hitler on his own until I read The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. (You might want to read it first. I wouldn't read this until your daughter is 16 or 17.)

Lucy!!! Thank you -- that means so much to me. Upbeat? I love the word upbeat! Seriously! ♥♥♥ (I need to print this out and save it.)

Definitely following. 🙃

When my son and I would drive by a bunch of trees being torn down for housing, he'd say, "Poor trees."

Awww. Your words melted my heart. (I have two teens and your boy is right on schedule.) ♥♥♥

How fun!! I hear they're a blast!

We were in SC for the last one and can't wait to do it again. We're heading to Little Rock. So fun. I only knew about eclipses from Carly Simon's song!! 🙃

Poor kid. I'm so glad he's with you now.

What a great idea!

This month I'm trying to establish the habit of getting on my inside recumbent daily. I really got lax. 😞

I had to figure out how to maintain after I lost on WW. I don't think the diet community has really figured out the maintenance part yet. Reading your post made me hungry! 🙃

Waving hello!

I've been doing WW for 24 years now. They are fantastic. I don't go to meetings anymore, but I absolutely record what I'm eating throughout the day. That's the important one. I also love how they retrained my brain to better portion sizes. W.

Okay! Great advice, guys! I love WTM. The funny thing is that the refrigerator part works fine. And the freezer is even making ice cubes. But the stuff in it isn't frozen to the right temp: ice cream is soft, frozen pizza is soft etc. Dh -- who is handy -- is going to look at it this weekend and see if he can fix it. If not, I'll let our sweet landlord know. Thank you!! p.s. I wonder how people make it without a WTM in their lives?

What a legacy she left!! ♥♥♥

Our freezer is tanking. The fridge-part seems fine. Here's the thing: we rent from the best landlord on the planet. In six years he's never raised our rent. So we'll buy our fridge/freezer for the house. I'm pretty certain that when we leave here, he'll sell the house. He lives in like a mansion, doubt he'll come back here. Any ideas for a relatively inexpensive fridge? TIA!!!

What a truly amazing story. Becoming a foodie in her 90s is hilarious. Any chance you're a writer? Because this story with your mom should be written. It's too lovely. (And that she passed in her sleep is beyond cool. What a dream-way to move on.) ♥♥♥ Tearing again.

Well, I'm no spring chicken. And I still love distressed jeans. I think you have to have the right spirit!

First time I ever teared up at a WTM post. I'll never forget this.

Have you seen: Mad Men (no animals or kids are hurt. I'm just like you.)