Back to the Basics

Lately, I have been teaching and training my children to daily accomplish their morning "basics."  These basics include: making their bed, getting dressed/putting pjs away (or in laundry basket) and brushing/fixing their hair. Our children are really getting into this new routine and I have been quite pleased with their willingness to obey. Last week, I finished putting together a family schedule...a very detailed, day-to-day schedule...and basics are to be done before breakfast, which is (desirably) promptly at 7:30 a.m. In addition to her own basics, our oldest child (6 yrs old) is being trained to care for her younger brother (2 yrs old). She is capable of changing his diaper, getting him dressed for the day and helping him make his bed. My hope in this is to also create a buddy system, so that when we are out in public, they automatically know who their buddy is and how to pair up. When our 2nd child and 4th child (4 yrs old and 4 months old) are old enough, then I will train them to do the same. And honestly, the buddy system has naturally fallen into place with our children anyway, so this part has been easy.
Training our children to understand the "basics" gives them sense of responsibility and a sense of ownership. It gives them choices of their own (picking out their own clothes, hair accessories, etc.) and they are happier and more pleasant children because of it. I regularly weed through their clothes and take out anything out of season or size, so that they do not become confused with what they can or can not wear. All "off limits" clothing items get stored in their handy dandy under-the-bed storage boxes, where they are easily accessible, if needed.
The biggest thing a parent needs to remember is that training is just that...training. It is going to take time! You can not expect your four year old to make a perfect bed the first, fifth or hundredth time. Work with them, side by side. Lead by example and have patience....store up lots and lots and lots of patience! Be encouraged and remember that all that hard work in training your precious child will pay off....some day. :) And be willing to let go of perfection. Again, they will get it eventually. And never hesitate to go "back to the basics" with your older children. Your goal is to raise children who desire to work hard and do their best in everything that they do...even if it is something "small" like making their bed or putting away their pjs. Their future spouse will thank you! :)