MUM-e-Mail

To equip and encourage `can-do'

mothers of preschoolers and their supporters

November 2008

Mother Tip

Stay sane with a kitchen timer.

Mother Moment – Time Use Using a Timer

The kitchen timer is an objective, non-partisan referee for daily events - one of the most useful tools a parent can own. Every family needs one.

·       No nagging is necessary. Parents can effectively remove themselves from the situation and reappear when the timer says "Time is up".

·       The children can not argue with a timer.

·       Young children can play a "Beat the Clock" game. "Let's see if you can get your pajamas on before the timer goes off." Children love to race the bell and quickly learn how good it feels to be cooperative and gain a parent's positive attention.

·       Replace the sand timer in a board game. (Sand doesn't ding to let you know time is up.)

·       When the bell goes off, time is up.

·       Enforce a time limit. Before the timer is set, make certain that everyone knows what will happen if the deadline is not met. The consequences should be clear. "If you are back here with your job done well, before the timer rings, we can … play a game of memory".

·       The best reward for compliance is always a parent's attention.

·       We use a timer to show how much longer

o      before Mum or Dad can play with them.

o      "before we go" - allowing for 2-3 minutes to get out of the door, into the car.

o      before they come for dinner – pronto! Stop, everyone, and come.

o      in the bath or shower.

o      they should be brushing their teeth (at least 2 minutes).

·       Our sweet tooth slow eater has two minutes after the last adult has finished eating to finish his meal (or no dessert/hot chocolate). Works a treat!

·       If you are a person who is easily side-tracked, use a timer to motivate you to hurry.

·       Time your exercises.

·       Bigger jobs can be done when broken down into short `can-do' segments. Use the timer for the 5-10 minutes you need. eg. when cleaning the bathroom. Good for Mum!

·       Put the children in a safe, entertaining spot (or get them to sleep). Turn the timer to 10 or 15 minutes. Find a quiet or picturesque spot. Sit in it – and do nothing. The house and all that's in it will wait.

Enjoy giving away those `nagging' jobs to the deaf kitchen timer – and regain some sanity!

- © Johanna Whittaker, 2007.
Inspired by: http://www.elainegibson.net/parenting/kitchentimer.html

Mother's Heart

May I find time to lavish praise and a myriad `ooh-aahs' on my little (and big) children. I love it when my efforts are recognised and acknowledged. Thank You, God, for my family.

--

Mentor Mum Moment

·       One great tip for keeping the house neat and organised is what Kathy Peel calls the "7-minute Sprint."
Set the kitchen timer for seven minutes, put on some peppy music, and have everybody in the family just kind of rush around for seven minutes and pick up the clutter, throw out today's papers, do a little bit of housework, like vacuum ONE room, or clean the benches in the bathroom.
If you do that for seven minutes every night (or late afternoon), what will happen is, your house will look less cluttered and on the weekend when it's big family "clean house day" you won't have as much to do, because you've done it a little bit at a time each day, and you'll have more time for fun on the weekends.

MOPPETS

"Mummy!" The temptation is there to reply: "Not now, honey". How about? "Yes Dear" and give the 10-30 seconds of attention your family member needs. Often, it's just to re-connect for a hug, a kiss, or a "Wow! Look what you've done".

Mum's e-Mail

... How do you use a kitchen timer? Write in to mum-e-mail@... with your tips and ideas.

MOPS Link

¬     www.mops.org.nz/groups/ - groups around New Zealand. Not just a mum's coffee morning?! > > Do you want to start one in your area?
Please write to info address below.

¬     Time Outs for Mums – off www.mops.org

 

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