Tired of Nagging? Here’s the Creative Method I Use to Get My Kids to Take Care of Basic Tasks…And I Don’t Have to Say a Word

Want your relationship with your children to go beyond “did you do your homework?”

This Mother’s Day I chose to welcome a new client into my home. Its name is #parenting.

I know everyone else has the nightly routine of parenting tasks down to a pat. It’s just back here at #momtrepreneur land that my darling children seem to come up with the most creative excuses when it comes time to performing some of the basic daily rituals.  As an avid reader of parenting manuals (they compete with my advertising and marketing chronicles on the bookshelf), the one thing I have come to see and hear over and over again, is that at the end of the day it all boils down to the relationship you cultivate with your children. That relationship you nurture with your kindred “mini you’s” will last far past the toddler, teenage, and adolescent years. And I realize that it’s not ideal if the main communication between parent and child is constant reminders to do X or Y.

There was a pivotal moment which took place at some point after request number 17 to put the clothing in the hamper that I realized: what if I chose to view parenting with the same perspective as I do with clients. I listen to my clients and hear their business challenges and then, together with my amazing team of creatives and staff, come up with a game plan to reframe the issue at hand. The game plan often times includes a campaign which excites the target market to achieve the goals of the business owner. Today, I chose #creativeparenting because I realized #aintnoonegottimeforanythingelse.

Images below are a pictorial guide of this new client #parenthood #momtrepreneurhood and a creative solution to choose relationship over tasks, while letting the tasks get done on their own.

Here’s My Creative Mom No-Nagging Solution:

Summary: Kids choose tasks they want to work on and earn points (each task has a value). When they complete a task, they grab the card from the clothesline.

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Purchase a laundry line and some colored laundry pins

Choose which task you will work on for the month ahead. They say it takes a minimum of 30 days to break in a new habit, so the ideal is to choose just one. My children wanted to focus on one “theme” (can you tell they are related to me?) and chose 10 tasks that fall under the umbrella of organization.

Each card names a task along with a graphic to symbolize what it is. Each task had a numerical point value assigned to it. Harder tasks were given more value and easier tasks lower value.

 The card were printed and hung up on the makeshift laundry line. They are all at arms reach to both of my daughters.

The goal is to have as many of the tasks completed without any reminder ( keyword #nagging #reminding #andreminding ).

Once the task is done they get to keep the card.

At the end of the week there will be a #popupshop set up in our living room. Think Anelis Group MRKT for the junior division. Each prize will have a different value which can be purchased with their tickets.

#happymothersday #momtreprenuer #creativeparentingsolutions

Download Elisheva’s cards to print and use in your own home! Click here.