I've been using the kitchen timer a lot more recently, to keep things moving around the house.
Before bedtime, the twins clean up the playroom. It used to be a battle every night to get them to stop playing and start putting things away. So I started setting the timer for 5 minutes or so (depending on how many toys are out), and say "Put 'em away, or I'll take 'em away".
The first few times, they didn't believe me, and went on playing until the timer went off. I got an empty cardboard box and picked up everything on the floor, letting them know they can play with them again in a day. That got the message across, and prompted this quote from Aaron.
This morning, Isaac wanted me to read Caps For Sale, so I told him we can read it if he gets dressed before the timer rings.
I've never seen him get dressed so quickly! Aaron, however, wasn't interested and not only didn't get dressed quickly, he almost went to school without pants on. He changed his mind at the last minute. Perhaps it was Isaac saying, "Aaron, they're all going to laugh at you!"
When they don't get dressed, instead of fighting I say "that's ok, you can just go to school without your _____ on". They've never actually gone to school sans clothing...yet
Posted by joe at October 27, 2006 02:41 PM