Here comes 2014! Welcome to a fresh start, new ideas and resolutions. As we reflect on the year that has passed and dream about what this year will bring, did anyone else wake up this morning and realize their house is a total disaster area? 12 days into Christmas vacation, 4 kids and 2 adults with new toys and goodies, 5 days off for daddy, 2 sick days for mommy, 2 kids getting sick, 2 house guests for 5 days = 1 messy house. Phew!
It always takes a few days for all the new stuff to get absorbed into the house and find its place. We are getting there, slowly. I did my part to make space by giving to every truck that came through our neighborhood in December picking up donations. Picking up, now that is every kid's favorite thing to do, right? My strategy is to use a timer. I say we're going to do a 15 minute pick up and start the timer. If everyone is contributing, we can get quite a bit done in 15 minutes. If someone isn't helping, they are asked to stay in their room until we're done and I'll charge them for my time when they get their allowance on Saturday. I charge $25/hour so their allowance statement will show a charge for $6.25 if I did their work for 15 minutes. They have to pay me or work off their time doing extra chores. The boys have learned it is much easier (and cheaper) to do the work now. They still have their moments when they choose not to help such as our five year old did today. No problem.
As I prepare for the new year ahead (and clean up the mess from the last one), I am thankful for this crazy, messy place we call home and even more thankful for the people who live here with me. Happy New Year!
