Home: Tag : Cooperation

Most parents start out each conversation with their children with "You...." For instance, how many times today have exchanges been; "you need to stop that behavior" "You never pick up your toys" "You need to do your homework, chores, turn off the TV, smile more, stop eating so much, etc. etc

A family is most productive functioning as a unit. Think of a family as a healthy potted plant. A plant is made up of small individual stems and branches that, as separate entities, appear fragile and unsteady. But growing and developing together, they gain strength and protection from one another. The plant and the family is healthier and grows more when everyone cooperates and shares the resources as well as environment.

When getting your children to help out around the house, it can be difficult to make that time a positive time. Kids have negative ideas about chores, and like to avoid them if possible. Yes, it's hard to get the entire family to help with cleaning and straightening up. But there are some things to remember when it comes to work around the house, or guidelines if you will. The following guidelines should increase effectiveness and cooperation when it comes to family chores.

We decided years ago that if we were going to do projects together, we needed to refrain from judging the perceived weaknesses and respect the strengths of each other. So we allow only one raised eyebrow or hands in the air in the presence of the other person per hour. We have stopped trying to convert the other one to our way of thinking and our method of painting. We each just do our own thing and connect on the really important stuff like using blue cheese salad dressing and commitment to each other.