2 Many Kids 2 Little Time

Snack Drawer and Big Box

I have devised two new items to my summer "survival with three kids" agenda.
1. The Snack Drawer - the kids accompanied me to the grocery store on Monday to select snacks for one of the bottom drawers in the kitchen. I wanted something accessible to all three children. We selected boxes of raisins, cereal bars, pudding, goldfish, fig newtons, etc. There are two rules: only two snacks from the drawer per day per child (one between breakfast and lunch and one between lunch and dinner) and all wrappers/containers must be thrown in the trash. (I always have fruit, yogurt, cheese and crackers, etc if they are still hungry.)

2. The Big Box - I have decided the only way to keep my sanity this summer and to not have to be constantly telling the children to "pick up after themselves" is the "big box." I am going to get a big box from Kroger today and place it in the house. Whatever is left out at night (on the floor, couch, or table) will be placed in the big box. I will keep the items in "jail" for one week. I hope this works. Has anyone else tried it?

Here's to a good summer!

Comments

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

Love the snack drawer idea. And the big box... I've never heard of such, but another grand idea!

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

I like the snack idea, but where would you keep the big box?

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

I love both of these ideas...keep letting us in on any "ideas" as I am a mom that is open to anything that will help all of us!

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

I started a snack basket for Simon when Miriam was born. Just so he could help himself if I was nursing or otherwise unable to move. We still have it and I love it! We also need a Big Box but I want a magic one that transports everything back to it's proper place.

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

I LOVE the Big box idea!!! You're full of great ideas. I wonder if it will work on 15 year old boys too?? I am definitely gonna try this! Thanks for the idea...

Re: Snack Drawer and Big Box

The big box idea reminds me of a story Cam tells about his stepmom Janis - you'll appreciate this since you know her. If the boys didn't make their beds, their sheets would end up somewhere in the house like the attic and they'd have to go looking. If they left their shoes out or jeans didn't get put in the laundry, sometimes they were gone.... for good. Cam said that was really tough because they were poor and only had a pair or two of jeans or shoes. He said they learned really quick. I love the box idea, too, it seems I remember hearing one mom say that their kids never minded their stuff being in jail and that was her signal that they had too much stuff. I remember when whatever wasn't picked up at our house went to helping hands. Wyatt used to say, can we just give this to helping hands? Go ahead and pick it up and we'll just give it to them, and then he'd help!! Strange that was and he never asked about any of it after it was gone. As we move into our 650 square foot flat this week it will be interesting to see how our "downsized" life works out with cleaning up - you'd think it be much easier now that we have so much less - I'll keep you posted.......

None

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
(include http://)
Title:

Comments:

Remember your info. on cookie?

Type the word in the image: