Kids can have a lot of wants, from toys to electronics, but the next time they ask for something you could turn it into a clever lesson in the value of hard work like one mom who set up a job fair for her kids.
Shaketha Marion McGregor of Dublin, Georgia was tired of her kids asking for things so she decided to give them the opportunity to earn what they wanted with jobs. Of course finding a job when you’re a kid isn’t easy so she set up a job fair in her house.
“So, my children continue to ask for a new cell phone, an allowance, and to go places. Yesterday I told them that I’ve heard their requests and that I’ll have a surprise for them today when they get home from school. SURPRISE!!! It’s a whole hiring event!” she wrote in a Facebook post sharing her unique idea. “If you want it, work for it, earn it! And yes, I also have an in home credit union lol,” she added.
She posted signs advertising the fair and the jobs available, which included kitchen manager, lead housekeeper, and laundry supervisor. She even created job applications with questions like “What is your desired pay rate?” and “Are you willing to work some nights and weekends?”
It should come as no surprise that her post went viral with thousands of likes and comments applauding the creative way she handled her kids requests.
A debit card for kids, teens, and college students definitely provide convenience for parents. Cash usage is dwindling as you probably already know and experience. Once you give your child a debit card, you no longer need cash on hand. No more dashing to ATMs or worrying about cash getting lost in a backpack abyss. The convenience, safety, and accountability of a debit card for kids vs cash are undeniable, but many parents don’t realize the other surprising benefits that come once your child starts using it.
1. Debit Cards Result in Kids Asking for Chores: A debit card for kids brings the concepts of earning and saving to light. Tracking account balances inspires kids to want to earn, especially when they have their own budget to manage. We talk to a lot of parents who say after signing up for a debit card, kids are the ones asking for chores to earn money towards savings goals that they create in the app. One parent said, “My kids have not stopped asking for chores. They love saving money and having control over purchasing what they want.” We also have many kids learning fiscal responsibility by setting savings goals for things like higher education, car insurance, vet expenses, and much more. In fact, the most popular savings goals amongst kids are for a car.
2. Debit Cards Can Teach Kids to Budget: Debit cards made specifically for kids provide an educational opportunity for parents to start contextualizing conversations about finances. Kids who make real-life trade-off decisions can realize the value of a dollar. By being in control of their money and spending, kids will naturally learn to budget and make smart financial decisions. One parent said, “Since my kids got their own cards, they are more cautious about what they buy because they have to work for that allowance.” When money is theirs rather than an endless stream from parents, kids learn to make smart trade-off decisions to delay gratification.
3. Debit Cards Are Good Preparation for Credit Cards: When kids turn 21, they are inundated with credit card offers and it’s important for kids to know how to use one. Credit card balances carried over from month-to-month have been growing every year in the U.S., most recently hitting $424 billion. Kids who have practiced being financially responsible are more likely to make smart decisions when it comes to credit cards and paying off debt. Financial literacy is also positively correlated with long-term wealth. A debit card can be the first step towards a healthy financial future. The sooner we teach our kids to be financially-smart, the better we’re preparing them for future financial decisions.
4. Debit Cards Can Rein In Online Purchases: Unlike when we were young, kids today make many purchases online whether it’s through online gaming, Amazon, or other online retailers. If your child is using your credit card you could wind up with a huge bill. A Greenlight debit card provides a great way to supervise kids, set boundaries, and protect parents’ credit cards. By giving your child a debit card, you can teach them to make better trade-off decisions when purchasing things like game extensions, while giving yourself more control and insight into how much they spend online each month.
Greenlight’s mission is to help parents raise financially-smart kids. The Greenlight debit card comes with a Greenlight app for both parents and kids. Parents can instantly send money to kids, turn the card off from the app if needed, and receive alerts whenever the card is used. They can automate allowance payments and manage chores so kids can learn to earn! These safe and secure experiences give parents the peace of mind they need to allow kids to manage their spending, saving, giving, and earning. Aside from cashless convenience, there are many more reasons to take advantage of this debit card for your kids. Give yourself the short-term benefits of convenience and your kids the long-term benefits of a financially-smart future.
Tim Sheehan is not only a father of four, but the Co-Founder and CEO of Greenlight. Greenlight is the safest way for parents to give their kids money, approve their spending and prepare them for financial independence.
While I know that not all schools have trips for their senior class, I have now prepared two of my daughters to enjoy their senior trips. The process was a little different each time, as my children have individual needs, for all that they were raised together as equally as possible.
So, if you have a child with a senior trip coming up, I wanted to share the basics of how I prepared for my second daughter’s recent senior trip. Feel free to tailor my experience to your own children, as you know best what will and work for them.
Help My Teen Budget For The Trip: Once the trip destination was announced, one of the first things I talked about with my daughter was how she was going to budget for the trip. As her parents, we were happy to pay for the trip itself, especially as she kept up with her responsibilities regarding her chores, grades, and curfew. But we wanted her to take some personal investment in the success of her trip, so I talked to her about how to save up so that she could buy souvenirs, participate in different experiences, and just have some fun money. Some of the ideas she came up with to help save for her trip were:
Save Her Allowance—There are plenty of ways a kid can become spoiled with an allowance, but I have always been careful not to break the rules our family has set in regards to an allowance. So, when my daughter proposed she save at least half her allowance, I knew it was a practical solution, as she had already learned that money management skill.
Seek Side Hustles—Unlike my eldest daughter, my second daughter didn’t pick up a job in high school, preferring to focus on her extracurriculars. But, when she decided to earn some money on the side, she sought out babysitting jobs, dog walking, tutoring, and teaching the piano to young children. Most of her money earned from her side jobs went into saving for the trip.
Participate in Fundraisers—Many schools that offer class trips will often provide fundraisers to help children finance their trips. My daughter made a deal with my husband and me that whatever amount she was able to raise and we didn’t have to cover, that she could have that money for herself. We agreed, and she was able to fundraise a little over half of her trip!
Talk To Her About Safe Social Media Posting: Like most teens, my daughter is pretty much glued to her phone. I know that she loves to post artsy pictures on Instagram, and it seems like she can never eat dessert before posting a picture of it first. I knew that for her own safety, we needed to have a serious talk about safe social media posting while abroad. Thankfully, my daughter and I have improved our communication over the years, and this wasn’t going to be our first talk about social media safety. We had a good conversation about not sharing location information online, even if the person sounded like a friendly native that just wanted to show her and her friends around. I also cautioned her about posting things like her travel itinerary and other personal and locational information.
Buy Travel Insurance to Cover Emergencies: While all three of my children are usually very healthy, I am always a bit concerned when they take trips far away from home. As my daughter’s class trip was out of the country, I wanted to be extra certain that she would be covered in case of a medical emergency or just lost baggage. So, I looked up various types of travel insurance and purchased some for my daughter. I explained to her what it was for and what to do if she needed to use it. This extra insurance helped ease my mind, though I wouldn’t say it is necessary in all cases.
Create Copies Of Travel Information: Speaking of her travel information, that was something I made two copies of once the information was available. One of the copies stayed home with me, so I could know exactly where my daughter would be on what days, as well as having critical information she may need. A set of the copies went with her in a closed packet, only to be opened if she lost one of the originals. We made copies of the following:
Trip itinerary
Flight information
Hotel reservations
Traveler’s insurance
Discuss Practical Travel Safety Tips: Naturally, we also discussed a variety of travel safety tips with our daughter. Some of these tips which can apply for any teens traveling without their parents are:
Stay with your group so that you don’t get left behind.
Never just go off without telling someone where you are going. Ideally, at least one person will be with you, and you will inform a chaperone where you two will be.
Don’t accept favors or guidance from strangers who volunteer. If you can’t find a police officer, go into a local shop and ask for directions.
If you are lost, immediately contact a chaperone and other group members. Don’t try to wander back, instead find a safe place to wait, like a busy store.
Avoid carrying all your money on you. It’s better to make trips back to the hotel for more money than to be robbed.
Don’t leave your purse anywhere unattended.
Provide A Small Medical Kit For My Teen: I am a fan of DIY travel medical kits, as they can be tailored to the specific needs of the person. So, for my daughter, who often had eczema flare-ups when stressed or over-excited, I was able to tailor a kit for her to soothe any unpredictable flare-up. Along with having her specific needs met, some of the good general items that work for any kit are:
Over-the-counter painkillers
Fabric bandaids of various shapes and sizes
A small amount of Neosporin
Alcohol wipes
Have A Conversation About Behavior Expectations: Last, but certainly not least, my daughter and I had a frank talk about the kind of behavior that she was expected to uphold. For many teens, the first time they are away from home for a significant chunk of time is when they leave for college. Many freshmen college students struggle with balancing their new lives and freedom with the pressure of being on their own. Since I didn’t want my daughter to fall into the same trap, I explained how the trip was her first dip into being on her own, and that she needed to be careful about falling into bad habits, especially as she would be leaving for her first year of college in the fall. We talked about things like underage drinking, sex, and sneaking out with friends when she was expected to be in. I told her that while she was likely to get away with things that she knew I wouldn’t approve of, these rules were in place to protect her more than anything and that it was up to her whether she would keep herself safe.
And that’s the scary thing. I don’t know for sure that she didn’t engage in things that she knew we wouldn’t approve of. But, as she is officially an adult and will be leaving my direct sphere of influence soon, I have had to learn to trust that the years of raising and lessons will be enough to keep her safe in the long run.
As for the trip itself, by covering these things with my excited teens before their individual senior trips, they were able to stay safe and enjoy their experiences to the fullest.
Cindy Price would like to say she's a parenting expert but she knows better than to do that. As a parent educator and writer for over 15 years, she's well-aware how quickly parenting practices evolve. Family is her greatest joy and she hopes her writing can help make families stronger.
For the longest time, my teen daughter Delila thought I was her personal ATM. I take part of the blame for indulging her since she was a toddler and able to bat her adorable eyes at me. Now that she was well into her teens, I felt it was time she started learning one of the fundamental pillars of teen independence—financial independence.
I encouraged her to look for part-time gigs or summer jobs and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. My daughter went from spending hours in front of the TV binge-watching her favorite shows to learning the ropes of holding down a job. Gone was the teen who used to ask me for cash, and in her place was a young adult who was slowly learning new ways to save her own money.
The experience hasn’t been without stress, as she’s now more tired and somewhat moodier than before. Out of concern, I asked if she felt that the stress of the job was taking a toll on her and whether she wanted to pull the plug. To my surprise, she declined and said that she was loving the experience, fatigue and all.
As a parent, I couldn’t be more proud as I watched her develop through her work. Here are some of the key changes I noticed after she started her first job.
She became more resilient.
Watching my daughter negotiate the drama of working with others and juggling the demands of a job in the service industry, I’ve noticed that she’s become a more resilient young adult. She has this newfound confidence and spring in her step that comes from facing challenges and dealing with them.
She learned new skills.
Jobs help young people to develop a range of skills and Delila was no different. From learning how to get along with others and working as a team to dealing with conflict and answering to authority, she’s learning as she goes.
She saw—and understood—the value of money and branding
My daughter has gone from throwing a tantrum when I wouldn’t give her cash for the latest sneakers to reconsidering dropping $60 on a new pair of pants. Recently, she surprised me by saying how some branded items were just the same as their generic counterparts, only with fancier names. It seems that getting a job made her a savvier consumer—something I’d been trying to do for years.
She developed a strong work ethic.
Previously, I couldn’t get Delila to commit to any task without enduring a lot of grumbling. These days, she does her share of household chores and even takes on more responsibility. Additionally, she loves not only showing up to work on time but also talking about her job to anyone who’d listen.
She became a role model for her younger siblings.
I used to worry about the example she was setting for her younger siblings but not anymore. After watching their sister going to work and seeing the rewards, my younger kids want in on the action, no doubt spurred on by the thought of having their own money to spend. But I’m not complaining—especially not after I overheard them budgeting their allowance.
Watching my daughter bloom into young adulthood courtesy of getting a job has been a rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to see how it works out for the rest of my brood.
Tyler Jacobson is a happy husband, father of three, writer and outreach specialist with experience with organizations that help troubled teens and parents. His areas of focus include: parenting, social media, addiction, mental illness, and issues facing teenagers today.
Most of us have great intentions when it comes to involving our kids in chores, and goodness knows we could use the help. But how do you know which chores are best for your kids and how do you implement a system that won’t result in more work for you? And how do you message the importance of chores to your child in a way that instills responsibility, discipline and teamwork? We’ve got a game plan!
When? We’ve found one effective way to implement a chore system is to use a weekly schedule. Assign different chores to different days of the week.
Which chores? Children as young as two are capable of chores, and are often very eager helpers. Leverage that enthusiasm, and build it in reluctant older children by focusing on their readiness for adult tasks. Refer to this chart to determine which chores might work for your child, based on age.
What to Do & How to Get Started
Emphasize that chores are exciting because they mean the child is ready to start learning how to be a grown-up, vs. characterizing them as a burden or a bore. Frame chores as jobs that have to be done and that are unpaid. You can add in other “money jobs” beyond chores if your child wants to earn some money. Keep allowance independent of chores. Read more about allowance here.
Make a Game Plan for Introducing Chores
Announce the plan at a family meeting: “Kids, we have some exciting news. We have noticed lately that you are really growing up and are able to do so many things—we think you’re ready to start with your own chores! Chores are jobs around our house that need to get done so that we have time to play together as a family. Now that you can do chores, you can practice to be a grown-up and you are helping our family at the same time.”
Present your child with a chore schedule. When designing your schedule, think about what’s realistic for your family. Things to consider:
What chores can you ensure will happen with minimal support from you?
What are chores that need to be done weekly? (We recommend starting small.)
What time of day is easiest for you to monitor chores? For example, grand visions of kids helping prep dinner, set and clear the table may not come to fruition given that this can be a challenging time of day, so consider using breakfast time instead.
Here’s an example schedule to kickstart things for a 4-5 year old. Keep it simple. Be consistent.
If your child is motivated by checking off tasks on a checklist, laminate your schedule and they can mark an item complete with a dry erase marker.
Expect to remind your kids of their daily tasks and cut everyone some slack if not everything gets done at the beginning (no one needs extra things to add to their mental checklist).
Praise your children for completing their chores, and point out the impact.
“Wow, you are working so hard at getting your chores done and I really appreciate how helpful you are to our family. It makes me so happy to see you learning how to be a grown-up, you can do so many things already!”
Celebrate small victories and keep your eye on the long-term prize: a self-sufficient, responsible child who recognizes the value of teamwork.
If Your Child Resists Doing Chores
Expect some level of initial resistance.
Kids are typically egocentric; they don’t usually appreciate how much work it takes to run a household, and may not inherently demonstrate interest in your need for help.
Chores also require some level of delayed gratification and a child may struggle to complete a job that is not immediately gratifying to them.
If your child resists chores, try implementing the rule “Must-Do’s before Want-To-Do’s” so that your child understands that if they want to do something (play, go on a scooter ride, have a story read to them, etc.), their Must-Do’s, which include chores, must be done first. Reassure them that they have time for both.
Plinkit provides tools and techniques practiced by the best childhood educators for modern parents. Discover the science behind how children learn, simple parenting tips and new ways to play with your child. Play smarter at myplinkit.com.
My family has several cell phones, but each is the latest version with the coolest features. And with these new phones I also got a larger bill, less conversations with my kids (and wife) and service that seems to be worse than I had before. Still, when I talk to friends or hear cell phone stories from other parents, it’s clear my problems don’t stack up.
Recent reports show that about 80 percent of Americans currently own a smartphone and the average American household spends $1,074 for cellular service. That’s up 77 percent from a decade ago. And while there is no concrete answer to when is the perfect time for a child to have a phone, it doesn’t take a rocket-scientist to figure out that over time a parent will pay thousands of dollars just so that a kid can send meaningless texts, take hundreds of selfies or play games. (Oh yeah, there may also be a call made sometime.)
To be honest, I didn’t mind paying a large monthly phone bill until it started costing me the non-money things. That’s when I really started thinking about the “real need” for cell phones and why kids always thought the latest model was the right one for them. I also wondered if parents aren’t doing a disservice to their kids by not making them contribute in some way to this never-ending billing cycle. Maybe kids would appreciate the big commitment parents have made if they had some skin in the game too.
So at my house, we’ve put some rules in place and my kids are paying a portion of the bill each month. I’ve also got my family back and our phone budget under control. Not to say that there wasn’t a “help me understand” moment with the kids, but life is better. Even they admit it. If you’re buying a phone for the kids for Christmas (or soon after), see if any of these suggestions can help you. Remember, you’re the parent and if you’re paying for the phone, you’re the boss!
A Smartphone Is a Privilege, Not a Right
Contrary to what our kids think, having any mobile device is a privilege, not a right. There is no parenting law that states kids MUST HAVE a cell phone. Now, I know that there are parents out there who swear that the $1000-plus phone their child just got is “In case of an emergency,” but really? If an emergency is your main concern, does your child need a $1,000 phone to make the emergency call?
Sit down and explain that a smartphone is a privilege and if they don’t want that stripped-down, emergency-only flip phone, they should probably start thinking that way.
You Want the Phone? You Have to Contribute
That’s right, if kids want more than a basic phone, they should be able to help pay some (or all) of the bill each month. We all know that you appreciate things more when you’ve had to buy them and kids are no different. This is a perfect opportunity for you to sit down and teach a valuable lesson about how much things cost and that you (the parent) are the owner of the phone unless the child is contributing to the payments.
If your child is too young for a real job, then this is when you have a talk about chores and allowance. BusyKid is an example of an app that will give kids ages 5 to 16 a place to earn money to put toward phone costs. My kids are still trying to figure out how much dog poop needs to be picked up to afford more phone storage.
There Is No Such Thing as Privacy
This also seems to be a big issue in many families. Parents want to know what kids are doing on the phone and kids are doing all they can to hide what they are doing. My question is this: why the fight? Unless the child is paying for the phone, there should be no privacy.
We told our kids from day one that unless they are paying for the phone, we know all the passwords and we will check randomly. We also installed an app where we can track her, and, until she is paying for the phone, it stays on the phone. If kids think this is unfair, all they have to do is buy their own phone.
No Phones at Meals
One of the first rules we put in place was no phones around family meals. Now we only have a handful of these each week so you’d think it would be easy. Well, not at first. However, soon it was accepted and we found ourselves talking more and laughing about what’s happening in our individual worlds. Soon we extended the rule to eating out, too. Ever notice an entire family sitting at a restaurant and they are all staring at phone screens?
Break Down the Phone Bill
Here’s a great teachable moment for your kids. Go through the monthly bill with them and show them where the money goes. As they grow up, this will help them understand the fees, from changes in plans to usage and overages. If the time comes to upgrade, make sure your child is present so he or she can see the process and the up-selling that goes on, too. (The same could be said when it’s time to buy a car.)
So, that’s my opinion for dealing with cell phones in your family. These worked for us but as you make a few adjustments in how you deal with this parenting inevitability, you might have other things as well. I think taking a stronger stance will get you less fights and more communication with your kids.
The co-founder and CEO of BusyKid, Gregg is best known as groundbreaking inventor of My Job Chart which grew to nearly 1 million members in four years. A father of six, Gregg is a CFP, consultant and a leading advocate for sound parenting, child accountability and financial literacy.
Not all kids will be naturally curious or brave to start talking about business ideas. It’s something that a parent should teach and encourage.
Business can be fun like any game they play. And if they learn the rules of the business game, they’re that much closer to winning—and their venture will be all the more rewarding.
If your kids learn how can to think like little entrepreneurs and manage money at the early age, you will both benefit from that knowledge in the future.
Doing business means making money. Having a few extra dollars that allow your child to buy toys or have money for school field trips is something they will find appealing. Teach your kids to think proactively and to ask themselves: “How can I afford it?” when they want to buy something. The question is formed to put your brain to creative work and finding applicable solutions.
Equally important to making money is a lesson on how to keep that money. There are various methods to save money that you can explore and pass onto your kids. Money management is one of the most valuable life’s lessons.
When asked where he learned about money, Warren Buffet said, “My dad was my greatest inspiration. He was my hero when I was 6 and he is still my hero now. He is an inspiration to me in every way. What I learned at an early age from him was to have the right habits early. Savings was an important lesson he taught.”
Even if your children seem uninterested in their own side hustles, there are a few fun ways you can use to plant a seed and provide them with basic financial and entrepreneurial education.
1. Cartoons
Many kids love TV time, so the opportunity for education is just a click away. There are quite a few money lessons they can learn while watching cartoons. For example, Elmo teaches money management and the importance of saving with his three jars. Give three jars to your child to do the same. Later, when they want to buy a toy, you can tell them to take the money out of their saving jar and let them personally pay for it at the store.
Warren Buffet’s Secret Millionaires Club is another cartoon that is aimed at teaching kids about money. Add a few cartoons like these into your child’s watching mix and talk about what the message is.
2. Games
Using games as educational methods is nothing new, as kids learn best when they are playing. No matter what type of the game is, you can leverage playtime to teach your little ones something about money, its value and running a business.
It may be a basic coin game, where you can use real coins, or draw values on the cardboard. Coin games teach the value of money and basic mathematics.
Another idea is to playing family board games like Monopoly or Payday, where you can monitor your child’s behavior and teach along. For more sophisticated methods, there are business simulation online games, where your child can play pretend and experience the perks and pitfalls of owning a business, like owning a Coffee Shop or running a Lemonade stand.
3. Books
When your child is old enough to read, you can add books to your teaching. There are plenty of books suitable for every age, that can make perfect gifts. Encourage your kid to read by setting an example or making reading your together time.
Books instill creativity, ideas,and a can-do attitude that may lead to a self-sufficient individual. If your child is a preschooler, try Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money. If you have teens, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens or The Coolest Startups in America might be a good fit.
4. Commission-based Allowance
Instead of giving your kids money just for breathing, you may teach them the value of money and how money needs to be earned by letting them work for their allowance. Like Santa’s little helpers, they get to assist you with the house chores, take care of their own living areas and make money out of it.
Consider giving them a basic allowance (like a basic salary) based on their age, and then add commission based on performance. Define the basic chores, then put commissioned ones and the amount they will earn from each chore on the chart.
Like in business, you may even give them a special bonus, if they do something extra or find something that needs to be fixed around the house. Letting your kids control their allowance like this should plant a seed for good habits, teach them responsibility and how they are not entitled to free money.
5. First Business Ventures
Earning their allowance may be the groundwork for your child’s entrepreneurial journey. When they realize they control the amount of money they make, maybe they will start to think of their own ways to make money.
In order to avoid the mistake that financial book author Robert Kiyosaki did when he literally went to make money by melting lead and producing coins, brainstorm ideas with your kids. Explore the options, as you know your child best: does it have artistic skills? Is it capable of assisting other kids in school? Having a sidewalk lemonade stand can be only one of their business ventures.
Here are some other ideas to consider:
Tutor other kids for a fee.
Resell candy, gum or soda: they can buy cheap with coupons and resell with a small profit margin.
Sell their original art online, i.e., personalized greeting cards or photographs.
Become a pet or baby sitter.
Deliver newspapers.
Sell their old things. They can sell their toys or clothes online or at a yard sale. They’ll make money and declutter their room!
Design and sell their own jewelry.
Help neighbors (fill-a-need).
It’s never too early to adopt useful habits and valuable life lessons. Whatever ways you go or tools you use, you can instill so much knowledge in your children and make them believe in themselves.
Encourage your little ones to try their best. No matter what happens with their business, even if it doesn’t turn out as planned, tell your young ones to consider that experience as an investment in themselves.
Michelle is a freelance writer at Assignyourwriter. She loves to learn new stuff and share life's experiences with others. Besides being in love with her keyboard, she also loves reading self-improvement books. When at home, she enjoys her tea collection and cuddles with her cat Momo.
There seems to be a pattern here, and I don’t like it. Everything is fine and dandy, but once the sun goes down and things start to settle, suddenly all hell breaks loose.
I’m talking, of course, about bedtime.
My kids will spend an entire bike ride complaining about how tired their legs are. We will stretch a ten minute ride into a two hour excursion as they mope and meander. Once that five minutes-to-bedtime alarm is announced, however, suddenly they are gushing fountains of energy, bursting forth with great enthusiasm and gusto.
Why is this? What is it about impending bedtime that causes children to lose their minds? I have a few theories, and I’d like to share them with you here today.
1.They can smell the desperation on us as we look forward to the freedom of Evening Adult Time. All day we have been dealing with crap, culminating in what usually ends up being a woefully and unfoundedly optimistic after-dinner plan requiring intense mental and physical effort on the part of the parents. We can almost taste the impending glass of whatever soothes us, and the serene image of being together with our partner while we sit quietly on opposite sides of the couch and look at social media is growing ever more prominent in our minds.
Children sense this desire for calm, and their instinctual response is unabridged mania. Your best bet is to run them around as much as humanly possible, and then whisk them directly into bed and shut the door before they realize what’s happening.
2.They have utilized their daily allowance of mental capacity, and the reptilian brain takes over. Once they have been awake for a certain number of hours and/or they have expended a certain amount of energy, their consciousness is shut down by the body in order to preserve the functionality of the brain for later use. While they may have some tendencies of their former selves, they are not actually cognizant of their surroundings, and even less so of their actions.
Because the body is unaccustomed to being unfettered from the brain’s oppressive control, the new-found freedom is met with unbridled enthusiasm. Granted this is a nightly occurrence, but this part of the brain has very little memory retention. This may also help explain the lack of ability to hear and recognize their name when paged by adults. Although that issue isn’t necessarily an evening exclusivity.
3. This is all part of a great conspiracy set up by the Highest Order of the Children’s Mensa Society to break the will of the adult population through frustration and lack of sleep. They have been planning a takeover for years, and their plans to erode the mental capacity of adults globally has come to fruition, as parents everywhere succumb to the ubiquitous presence of their manic children. They know that all we need to recharge is one hour of sitting quietly near our partner, occasionally exhaling sharply through our nose when we see something funny online. They know that if we were to have that time, we would be more aware and have sharper focus, thereby hindering their end goal of bedtime elimination.
One of these three theories is the correct one, although at the moment I am unable to determine which one it is. I will study both them and the suspicious activities surrounding them as soon as I get a chance. I just need to have a quick moment to relax on the couch and recover from my day, and then I’ll get right on it. But I just can’t seem to find the time.
TS Crawford is a battle tested father of two and husband to one. Aside from professionally electrocuting himself regularly for money and benefits he enjoys making music, wire sculptures, writing, and occaisionally getting to speak with his wife.
Imagine a place where kids scrub dishes, scoop up mounds of toys, and even clean the microwave. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Infuse your cleaning efforts with some innovative fun to help make this dream a reality. We’ve found five cool things that will make clean up time more exciting for your little helpers, so read on for the scoop.
1. The Dirty Dunk She shoots, she scores! Laundry gets a major assist with the Dirty Dunk, a modern take on the classic over-the-door laundry basket. The new design comes with sturdy, padded metal hooks, a 12’’ metal rim, and is easily assembled. The 45” enclosed nylon net has plenty of space for clothes and encourages kids to play their way to a cleaner room.
2. Eruption Disruption Turn a household chore into an awesome science experiment with the Eruption Disruption. Let your tiny helpers add the right amount of water and vinegar to the volcano, pop it into the microwave for five to eight minutes, then wipe away dirt and grime with ease. It comes in four different color combos, a two-year warranty, and plenty of questions about why vinegar works as a cleaning agent (now would be a good time to review your science facts!).
3. Boon Mini Brush
Talk about serious flower power! Made from tough silicone to prevent molding and bristle blowout, this cheerful scrubber is a perfect first sponge for your little helper. It’s ideal for easy-to-clean items, and the brightly colored petals will brighten anyone’s day.
4. The Mess Up Tray
Your kid’s pile of LEGO has finally met its match. Designed with a wide, extra deep bin and a special squeegee scoop, the Mess Up Tray will make a clean catch of almost anything—LEGO, cereal, even liquids—so those moments when you need a whole roll of paper towels for one mess will be long gone. Best part? It works quickly, so kids won’t be stuck picking up minifigs for an hour. And for little ones, more play time is always a good thing.
5. Stridepost App There’s nothing like checking a box off your to-do list. Stridepost is a new motivational app that teaches kids how to be responsible for chores, schoolwork, and extracurricular activities. It includes a family calendar and message wall, and a to-do tracker, which allows kids to check off completed jobs and tasks (or add their own). The allowance tracker tallies up points earned for each item and the coolest part? You can decide on rewards in advance—like a night out at the movies, or additional screen time—and your kids can redeem or save their hard-earned points on their own terms.
Available on iTunes and GooglePlay, thefirst 90 days are free, $49.99 for the rest of the year.
Do you have any fun gear to get your kids excited about cleaning up? Share with us in a Comment below!
Parents are confessing on Twitter. The hashtag #DontTellTheKidsBut is letting parents spill the beans, and the things they’re admitting to are hilariously relatable. Scroll below to read some of the funniest we found on the Twitter-verse.
