I feel like I say “please pick that up” 5oo times a day. I know it can’t possibly be that many times, but it sure feels like it. We’ve needed a new plan…intervention, if you will. We’ve tried chore charts before, but they just have not worked in our family. I needed something smaller that could be moved around easily. So, this week I made little clipboards with daily checklists for the kids. So far, they really like that they each have their own and can keep them where they choose. We’ll see how it is going in a few weeks…
Supplies:
- Craft Wood (got mine at Micheals)
- Checklist (you can download mine by clicking here, to download look under the “file” tab on the top right)
- Letter stickers (mine are by Amy Tangerine c/o American Crafts)
- Crafter’s Goop
- Mini clothes pins (mine are Story Teller c/o American Crafts)
Tools:
- Scissors or paper cutter
- Toothpick or small stick
- Sanding block or sandpaper
Step 1: Sand the edges of the wood so they are not so rough
Step 2: Add a little Crafter’s Goop or strong glue to the end of a stick or toothpick, smear it on the back of your clothes pin. Press the clothes pin firmly to the wood piece and let it dry.
Step 3: add your stickers (if you are making more than one and need to tell them apart)
I’ve always got little helpers around. Yes, she is on the work table. Don’t worry, I disinfect when the work table turns into the dinner table.
I need another table. Or I need to be a mom that keeps my kids off the table
I asked the boys if they’d hold theirs for a picture. They denied my request. She, however, is always one to pose for a camera.
Little notes about this project:
- I will laminate my paper and then let the kids use dry erase markers to check off their lists each day. This would save a lot of paper and ink from being wasted making a new sheet for each day. If you have a Mardels near you, I know they can laminate several feet of paper for $1.00.
- If I had a house full of girls, I would make these a lot more girly and cute. But, I have boys. They don’t go for girly and cute.
- I left blanks so I could change out items and make them more kid specific.
I’m hoping this helps a little with my regular morning and night listing of things for the kids to remember to do. Obviously, I help the two that are not avid readers yet. Their lists must be done before they get certain privileges…they get their stuff done and I don’t get so exhausted having to remind them. Win Win.
My blog has been a bit different in recent months. Not nearly as many diy projects or any type of project for that matter. Have you noticed? I just don’t feel very creative these days. I don’t have much motivation for projects, all I want is my WHOLE family together. We’ve had so much going on around here. It is a time of transition…before the real transition happens! I’m cutting back a lot of things. I even stepped down from my role as a regular diy contributor on Design*Sponge – which was a HUGE deal for me to ‘give up’. We are on day 62 waiting for our acceptance letter, once we receive it we still have around 10 weeks before we get to travel. Blah.
And while I am a little depleted these days…how about some fun links?
DIY mini crepe flowers by Buggie and Jellybean
What I want to do when I am 86 – A yahoo sports clip, so impressed
A beautiful post by Kelly Hampton
How to style a low bun by a Beautiful Mess – aka a much cuter way to fix my hair than the daily ponytail
Kate R - Looks like you have a lot going on getting ready, this was a really quick DIY craft I made for my kiddos and I know your boys would love, just wanted to share it with you: http://www.ramblingsfromutopia.com/2012/04/diy-pool-noodle-race-track.html
Caroline - I know the exact “depleted” feeling you feel. I can say, that it will be over soon, and in no time you will be holding your little one!
danielle - This is cute! We use magnets on the fridge. I wonder if this would work better though.
Katie - I love this simple (and useful!) project. Though, in full disclosure, I’m probably a sucker for anything with really adorable little clothespins. But still.
Also, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling depleted, but I understand. Not in an “I’ve been there” sort of way, but in the, “I read your blog all the time and understand that this must be a crazy tough time for you as a mother with a child so far away” kind of way. I sure hope you have happy news to share soon.
Jessica - Where to start? 1. As long as your kiddos are not crawling on tables at restaurants, you have nothing to worry about. Our homes should be a safe place to “do life.” And, at your house… a lot of life is done on your craft/dinner/meeting table! 2. It’s an ongoing battle for us “creatives.” I read the BEST quote by C.S.Lweis yesterday.. “Art allows us to find ourselves and loose ourselves all at the same time.” Isn’t that great!? I’m just like you, though… If I feel lost, it’s hard to be productive creatively. I just repaint… over and over. It’s obnoxious. 3. Keep faith in His timing. It is perfect. (Just not “fast enough” sometimes.;) But, perfect.
kiley - This felt like a little blast from the past…I thought for sure you were making a revival of the handy hand-painted clothes pin! Back in the 80s (??? – I was a little-ish kid) my mom, along with a handful of ladies from church, hand-painted standard size clothes pins much like the one with the teensy flowers for chip clips and some with magnets for clipping things onto the fridge! I made some, too, but just slopped florescent pink paint on them. My mom still uses them today!!! Ha!
kiley - btw – they sold them at craft fairs and you can bet they sold like hotcakes…he, he!!!
Julia - Nevermind for the kids, I need one of those for myself. Getting my own chores done in my own house is a great daily battle.
Jessica R - Totally okay for you to feel that way – let those feelings happen. You are totally justified in having this season of wanting your baby home and not wanting to focus on some other things! The creative times will return. This is just a season and then baby girl will be with you for the rest of your life. Thinking about you
betsy - oh chores…ugh. what a battle! i love your clipboard idea – very cute.
aubrey - O gosh. I might have to make these just to use those cute clothes pins!!!
Amanda - Good news, we love you blog crafts or not. I love hearing about your progress toward getting your WHOLE family together! On a side note, you should check out the dry erase crayons. Your kids might like those for your lists.
Seriously Sassy Mama - These are fun, and would be perfect for everyone in my house. We all have very short attention spans. I hope everyday I go thru my google reader that there will be a post about you getting your letter. A special little girl is gong to be a part of a family. Kids belong on tables and counter tops. I still sit on the counters at my parents house, and I am 36.
mandi@herbanhomestead - Girl- sometimes I realize that my son is sitting on the table while we’re eating dinner! Our table is our work table, our art table, our sewing table, our homeschool table, our game table, our dinner table. Usually everything just gets shoved to one end by dinner time so we can eat. All that to say- I hear ya on bottoms on the table! And the depleted feeling- I get that. Our adoption process is now reaching one and half years! Sometimes I am so ok with God’s timing. Sometimes I am so not ok! That’s when I call my case worker and say things like “I just needed to hear your voice. To remember that we are actually working towards something here.” I’m sure she just loves that, but she is always very sweet and encouraging! Hang in there.
Maloree - The Lord is so good because the kiddos will be learning about RESPONSIBILITY in church this month and the craft we are doing this month in church ties hand in hand with this. And it wasn’t even planned that way! How awesome is that!
Sundee - I think God is giving you this time to reset your limits, recharge, and regroup. Giving up extraneous things is difficult…we want to do everything and be everything we can. I love that you are able to keep it simple with your kids. Keeping it simple for you too can be a blessing. You are about to change the dynamic in your house, heart, and family. It struck me that you said that you’ve never had a 2 year old without also having a baby around…treasure this time and the adjustment to something different will start to feel better. You’ll soon be adjusting to something new again. It is a year of transition for you and sometimes that brings with it low levels of motivation, bits of depression, and changes what brings us joy. Being kind to yourself is a good place to begin. Sending you prayers.
Cassie - I love this idea for my own kids! currently we have a little poster with 4 pictures in the bathroom that they call “my 4 things” 1. brush teeth 2. make bed 3. brush hair 4. get dressed. Now that they are reading I would love something like this because its a little more pleasing to the eyes.
I tried to pin but can’t. Did you prevent pictures from being “pinable” or is that something wrong with Pintrest?
Stoich91 - Firecraker is a model baby. SQUEE! She’s so cute!
Corrie Anne - I obviously need one of those charts for myself. Starting with “write thank you notes.” Love just reading about your family and seeing the pics just as much as the DIY! Actually maybe more becaues let’s face it, I only look at DIYs. Haha.
Ruth@GraceLaced - Praying for you this day: that the waiting would be rest and peace. I love seeing you prioritize what you find truly important and to be real about the transition. And yes…we are also revamping how to get 5 boys on the chore wagon more efficiently!
Lindsey - Ashley, did you make your table? I love it! We are about to move into a new house and are searching for the perfect table. I love yours. Can you tell me more about it?
Jennifer - First, I love your blog and pray blessings over your family. I have 3 boys and a girl and we are just getting ready to start the adoption process. You inspire, bring hope, shed light, and amaze! Rest in our almighty Father-as hard as it is-His timing is perfect! I know easier said than done…. “The Lord is my strength and my song” Exodus 15:2
Suzanne - Chore charts haven’t worked for my kiddos either. But I like this – the ability for them to carry it around with them – maybe it might be fun enough to work!
Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis - I say a kitchen table with out little bum’s sitting on them is a wasted table! That’s what they are meant for in my book. To sit on, eat on, gather around!
Melissa - you are doing the right thing by cutting back. our little guy was placed with us a year ago and the transition was tough on all of us. adoption is both amazingly beautiful but at times can be hard and quite the adjustment. i’m praying for you.
Catherine - She is just the cutest little model!
Lisa - My sister adopted from Ethiopia and the wait was an absolute roller coaster! It is such a hard thing to wait for all the process to happen. So completely out of your control! So excited for your family though!
I’m new enough to your blog that I’m not sure if you share your kids names, but I am dying to know what the initials stand for. I love hearing what others choose to name their children. haha! No worries though since you may have chosen to not share.
Amie - I could use one of those for myself =)
Pearl - THis is awesome! Definantly saving this for my future projects when my kids get older. Adore.
Nicole - Sweet. I have literally been searching high and low for some chore chart options for our preschoolers and have found nothing that was a) functional for 3 kids and b) cute. Thank you so much for this timely idea. The clipboard idea looks like fun – I will certainly be using this as a jumping off point! Maybe hanging hooks and drilling holes to hang them so they have a “home”, too….ooh the possibilities are endless! Thanks, Ashley!
Julie B - My kids are on the table all the time. Only the cool moms let their kids on the table
. I just did some lists for my kids as well. It seems that I have one child that is just like my mom and takes forever to get ready to anywhere. It drives me nuts and I hate being late. I use a binder and those clear sheets. They can use dry erase markers to check or cross things off. I love your daily ones though, genius!
Loving Now…some links « A Golden Afternoon - [...] to get those little kiddos to work? Ashley’s chore charts are pretty [...]