Those of you that know me are probably well aware of my obsessive compulsive list making! If we are close friends or family there is a good chance your name has at one time or another adorned one of my many lists. It's a habit that I just can't seem to break... and to be honest, I'm not so sure I want to stop:) I love making lists! I hate spontaneity! I like things to be scheduled and I like things to go as scheduled! I know it makes me sound like an old fuddy duddy but I don't care. I write and re-write lists on a daily basis, everything from my home projects, to grocery lists, to a daily "to-do" list, and to be honest I started my 2012 Christmas list (of people I needed to shop for) in January:( and I'm happy to admit I am already about 1/3 of the way through that list!!! yay!
So recently I have been feeling a little unorganized and just couldn't put my finger on the issue. I make my lists. I follow my lists. I really couldn't figure out why there were so many parts of the day where things weren't getting done or I was feeling like I couldn't keep up and then it hit me!!! It was definitely an "ah ha" moment for me. Even though I have a list and I know what is going on when, and where, and for how long, and what needs to be packed, or ready to go, doesn't mean that everyone else knows what is going on. By "everyone else" I mean my lil munchkins!!! My kids and I spend every day together and we do have pretty busy schedules and I realized a lot of my time was spent telling them what we are doing next and what they need to do to get ready. Then when we start running late I spend a lot of frantic/ grumpy times yelling at them to hurry up and find this or put there shoes on, etc I don't like being the mom that yells. I know my kids aren't perfect but it's worse when your yelling at them for something they don't fully understand.
So during my "ah ha" moment I realized I should make lists for my kids too:) Some of you may think I'm crazy, and that's okay, my husband thought the same thing, but I have to say I couldn't be happier with what I came up with.
I took some scrap wood and cut it down to the size I wanted. I covered it with Magnetic Paint that I purchased from Lowe's. It was a little expensive to me, like $22.00 for a quart, but I made two charts and only used about half of the can. This was my first time using Magnetic Paint and it worked fantastic, although I have to say the recommended 3 coats were no where near enough to hold a magnet, not even a regular refrigerator magnet. I used about 8 coats on each. It seems like a lot but since I wasn't covering a huge area it didn't take long at all. Make sure you let it dry completely between coats. I did them outside on a warm sunny day and within 15 minutes I was able to add the next coat.
Once I was sure that the magnetic paint was strong enough I added a layer of paint in the color of choice. I distressed mine a little around the edges for looks but that is completely up to you. I used regular scrap booking stickers to make a "title" for each chart. I didn't want to call them chore charts or make it seem like some kind of punishment, or better yet something that they should get paid for doing:) so I went with Jonathon's Day and Bella's Day. The stickers didn't stick well with the gazillion coats of paint so I used a little bit of modpodge on the back side to help them stick.
Then it was time to move on to the magnets. They are made from a 12x12 sheet of 2" ceramic tiles. I used regular scissors and snipped them apart. Then I found some free clip art on the internet of pictures that showed things I would need my kids to do on a regular basis. Ex. make bed, brush hair, get dressed, school, hockey practice, etc. I made the images small and typed the task below the picture. I printed them out on my computer and modpodged them onto the tiles. I absolutely LOVE them. Then I took a roll of magnet and cut it into pieces that would fit on the back of the magnets. I used hot glue to attach the magnets and wa-la you a finished. I hung the charts using Command Adhesives Strips since we are in the process of repainting I didn't want to add any unnecessary holes in the walls.
So right now they are hanging at the bottom of our stairs... so the kids can't miss them when they come downstairs. I am always up before them so that I can get myself ready before the craziness starts. I make sure I update their boards each morning with what we have going on that day. The kids LOVE them and they are super helpful and cute if I do say so myself:)
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Super cute chore charts!! I just found your blog on TT&J's Weekend Wrap-Up. And you totally sound like me... I LOVE my lists too :) With three little guys and #4 coming in just a few weeks, I felt like I was going crazy trying to keep up on everything when the light bulb went on... I needed our KIDS to do more. I still need to blog about our chore charts, but we've been doing them for about 3 weeks and I LOVE it!! I used metal cookie sheets for ours... hopefully I'll get them up on my blog this weekend. Happy to find your blog!
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Laurie @ Gallamore West :)
Those are stinkin cute!! Those pictures would be perfect my littles ones who cannot read!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are stinkin cute!! Those pictures would be perfect my littles ones who cannot read!!!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, thanks so much. oh my word 4 kiddos... i have 2 and somedays i think im losing my mind:) im glad im not the only person who LOVES lists. i look forward to seeing your chore charts on your blog and would love if you would follow me!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia:) Neither of my kids are quite to the reading stage yet, but its nice that they understand the pictures so they can use the words with the pictures as additional sight words. helpful and educational...woohooo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love those little pictures!! Megan
ReplyDelete<3 These Shannon! A great idea and they look pretty too!
ReplyDelete-Holly
what an awesome idea. this would totally work with my lttle one's.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much everyone for saying such nice things. I am so glad you all like them.
ReplyDeleteThese are really cute!! I love how you used the magnetic paint. They look like little works of art! Most importantly, I'm glad your kiddos are responding well to them :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Amanda... we have had them for a few months now and the kids are still LOVING them!!!! I am so excited:)
DeleteI think this is a fabulous and very clever idea for the kids, with benefits that will flow on to you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam:) We are loving them!
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