Thankfully, he was given a specific subject (genetic diseases) for this one, so we didn’t have to figure out what to do. If you or your child have ever done one…coming up with the idea is like 75% of the “battle”!

His “disease” was Rett Syndrome. So we did a bunch of on-line research, printed out pictures of children affected and also of the DNA and chromosome breakdowns and put it all together on a giant posterboard with all of the information we came up with. (and Mel actually did do most of the “work” on this one!)

It was interesting learning about the disease, and he got an A+ on his project.

Now…we’re off to find something “original” to do the fourth quarter project on (yeah, we have a couple months….but we have to figure this one out by ourselves!)

I found some great inexpensive ebooks to help us in our dilemna!

101 Easy Science Projects
Step By Step Instructions For Lots Of Easy Science Projects For Kids In Grades K – 12.

Super Science Fair Projects
Detailed, Step-by-step Instructions On How To Do An Award Winning Science Fair Project. A Parent’s Guide.

24 Hour Science Projects
Five Complete Science Fair Project Guides
Until next time,

Amy

My children know that once they outgrow their clothes, we go through them to decide if they should be donated or thrown away. The one question I have them ask themselves is “would I want someone to give this to me?”

We’ve been doing this since Mel was about 6 and Lamont was about 4. Of course at that time I had to guide them more on what was appropriate to donate, but now they do a pretty good job themselves.

Lamont participated in a food drive at school during the holidays for the homeless. He asked me why they only do that during that time of the year. I believe his exact words were “aren’t they [the homeless] always hungry?”

Of course, you’ve heard the saying “from the mouths of babes.”

Every time we get a notice for a donation collection we begin to go through our things. Mel and Lamont look through their own rooms and find clothes and toys that are in good condition that they no longer use. I go through the rest of the house.

Anytime we are wanting to get rid of something larger such as appliances or furniture I call the charities in my community to ask if anyone wants them before I try to sell them. Of course the first thing we ask ourselves is “would I want this”. If the answer is no, it gets tossed instead.

I usually call the shelters first for women and children, then the church charities. You’d be surprised at how badly they need donations.

I think it says something about a person when they are willing to give to those less fortunate, and I also believe that positive energy flows through things like this. How good do you feel when you watch your kids open their Christmas or birthday gifts?

Imagine how good you’d feel knowing that those items you and your children don’t use anymore could mean the world to another kid that is less fortunate?

Teach your children how important it is to give now, and that will come back to them ten fold. When you feel good about something you’ve done for someone else, it shows…and it makes people want to do more and give you more as well. Maybe not material things, but those are the least important things in our lives anyway if you really look at it.

Those that are up today may not be tomorrow. Take a look at our economy, so many hardworking people are losing their jobs and homes…and for many it is due to no fault of their own.

If you are able to give, and can include your children in that, it will not only help others and make you feel good, but instill positive energy and habits for your children.

 Just a little something we should all slow down and think about sometimes.

Til next time,

Amy

 I am trying to figure out a better system to motivate my boys to do the things they really do need to be doing and a reward/consequence system that really works.

I know we all have different opinions…how many chores or what responsibilities are too much for children? Or not enough? And how should they be rewarded? And how much?

Right now, Mel (my 12 year old) is responsible for taking out the garbage. Taking it out of the house and putting the cans on the street on trash days.

Lamont (my 10 year old) is to clear the table and unload the dishwasher once the dishes are clean.

They are both responsible for cleaning their bedrooms, their game room, picking up their dirty clothes (and making sure they end up in the laundry room) and they each have one day per week that they are SUPPOSED to clean their bathroom and the downstairs bathroom.

(I buy the Clorox cleaning wipes so it really shouldn’t be a hard thing to do….just wipe down the sink, toilet and tub with the wipes!)

                                  
When they were younger Using an “I can do it chart” (shown above)  worked a lot better. It still somewhat works for Lamont, but Mel being a preteen is a whole other story …

I’d like to motivate them with money…kind of like a wage and kind of like an allowance. The idea behind this is to teach them money, shopping, and savings skills. The problem is…I still find t-shirts and socks behind my couch and in the bathroom and on the stairs…

Oh, and I have mentioned how thier bathroom looks? I have to go in there at least every other week and basically clean it myself (the whole time lecturing them on how this is THEIR job, not mine) … but it doesn’t seem to be working for me!

Ok, so why don’t you share what has or hasn’t worked or what you are trying now? What chores are your child(ren) responsible for (and their ages)? Do you reward them for doing their chores? What is the consequence for NOT doing them? If so, how much, if not why not? Either way,  please share your view(s) on the subject!

Until next time,

Amy