Challenge Days 4 - 12: MOM Method, Condensed Version

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When I started this challenge I was convinced that I’d be able to do short blog posts about this nightly. WRONG. Anyway, we’ve been working through the challenge with ease. Well, except for the blogging. Since we’re all pressed for time, I’m doing a quick post for the past few days.

CHALLENGE DAY 4: TEACH YOUR KIDS HOW TO CALCULATE TIME

My 11 year old has been doing this since he was in preschool. He’s one of those people who has a high capacity for numbers. My 7 year old is the opposite. So this was kind of hard for him. But, he figured it out. Now, he knows exactly how long it takes us to get from our house to the dojo and at what time he should start getting his sparring gear and weapons together.

CHALLENGE DAY 5: FAMILY MEALS SPELL S-U-C-C-E-S-S

We actually took care of this on Day 4 as it was my husband’s birthday. We went out to dinner. Although this is not a hard task for us. A few days a week my husband eats breakfast with us and most days the boys and I eat either dinner or an afternoon snack at the kitchen table.

CHALLENGE DAY 6: TICK-TOCK, GET YOUR KIDS ALARM CLOCKS

Of course my 11 year old has had an alarm clock since kindergarten. He likes control. On the other hand, my 7 year old has not learned how to use one. I may introduce this one to him after birthday but we’re still trying to make sure he actually falls asleep at night.

CHALLENGE DAY 7: PREVIEW THE CALENDAR WITH YOUR KIDS

Because I work from home and my husband works a lot, we had to get calendar management together early on in our marriage. It was easy when my oldest son came along because he’s always conscious of the date and time. He’s kept a calendar, well paid very close attention to one, since kindergarten. Again, he likes control. He likes to know what is happening and when it’s going to happen. On the flip side, my seven year old couldn’t care less about dates or times. He’s really easy going.

We did place a calendar in the communications center in the kitchen a few years ago. Now he’s starting to pay attention to the days we do certain things. And, because we placed so much emphasis on the calendar early in the week, I finally got my oldest son a ticket to the dance that’s sold out every month. Well, he was looking at the calendar and reminded me to get tickets. I’d say this was a WIN.

CHALLENGE DAY 8: PROMOTE INDEPENDENT NAVIGATION

This challenge actually helped me. I have become so dependent on the navigation system in my car that I seldom pay attention to landmarks. One day last week because we had discussed paying attention to where we’re driving the boys were able to help me find my way out of a subdivision. They couldn’t get me home—we were more than 15 miles away from home. But, they got me to a main street.. They pay attention so I guess Mom should, too.

The 7 year old even had the benefit of getting his map loop for Cub Scouts. Not only did he help me navigate but he learned how to read a map while we were Scouting for Food with his pack.

CHALLENGE DAY 9: HAVE YOUR KIDS PLAN AN ACTIVITY

Our activities weren’t together but both boys planned an activity. Because the 11 year old planned to go to a dance, the 7 year old wanted to catch a movie. So, he asked Dad to take him.

CHALLENGE DAY 10: BE VULNERABLE WITH SOMEONE

I was vulnerable with them. I told them that moms walk around with lists, calendars and instructions because we want to do a good job. I also spoke to them about Dad working hard so that he can provide for us. They both appreciated it and told me some of their fears that I didn’t know existed. Another WIN.

CHALLENGE DAY 11: GO THE WHOLE DAY WITHOUT YELLING

This. Has. Not. Happened. I didn’t yell as much as usual but that might need to be a challenge in itself. A 30-Day Moms Not Yelling Challenge anyone?

CHALLENGE DAY 12: GET YOUR KIDS WATCHES

Both boys have watches. Now, it’s getting the 7 year old to use his. We’ll try that tomorrow.

Just in case you’d like to do the challenge with your family, you can sign up here.

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Makasha Dorsey

Makasha Dorsey is an award-winning author, motivational speaker and public relations professional. Her personal essay Diary of an Aspie Mom is included in The Motherhood Diaries (Strebor Books/Simon & Schuster). She blogs about being a writer, mother, wife, woman and Christian over at a wife in progress and has written for Absolute Write, The Midwest Book Review, Snaps1000Words, The Daily Times Leader, and ModVive Magazine. You can purchase a copy of her book First Family Secrets on Amazon.com.