Update on Keeping the Family on Track

Since I blogged on keeping my family on track this summer, I thought you might want to know

how it’s going.  To be honest, better than I thought it would and everyone seems to be keeping each other in check with the plan.  The kids are enjoying planned activities to do.  Just this last weekend we went camping at a local state park.  They helped organize what we needed to bring and even planned the meals and snacks.  They found out cooking on a fire and camp stove is not as easy as it looks and clean-up can be a challenge.  They took turns going for water and before we knew it, they were not wasting as much water due to the walk. I had fun identifying the trees and bird watching.  The girls explored various trails and looked for fossils.  My oldest daughter read a book in one setting.  My husband and son were completely in charge of tent and fire set up.  No cell phones, no video games, or TV’s, we just enjoyed being outside.  The weather was in the upper 70’s with a nighttime low in the 50’s, perfect camping weather.  We laughed and giggled around the campfire all evening.

We have struggled with my son’s desire to play video games 24/7, so he did find out that we meant it about consequences, and he lost the playstation for 3 days. We have had no problems since, and he has started another book in a series he is reading.  The chores surprisingly are getting done without too many reminders. The youngest has the most trouble in this area but is catching on by repetition and reminder notes. 

The kids are learning it is hard to keep everyone happy about what we are going to eat.

So, I would have to say we are struggling with the menu a bit.  The good thing is we are not eating out as much and learning you are not always going to like what’s on the menu.  For example, three of us wanted tuna casserole and the other two didn’t, but they got us back with spaghetti when we did not want pasta.

Bedtime is 10pm and the oldest is the only one staying up, he has had a couple of times he didn’t want to get up, but did with a reminder.  They are realizing they feel better and have more energy to do activities the next day.  They also know the sooner chores are done the more time we have to do fun things or they have free time to themselves.

All in all, I believe we are having less chaos at the house and more fun.  We are in good shape to ease back into the school routine four weeks from now.  But most of all, we are happier. The household is running more smoothly, and the next activities are the state fair and a trip to Lake of the Ozarks with some friends.  Life is pretty good.