Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Works for Me Wednesday - Stop the Fighting!


With a two-year-old and four-year-old we have lots of fighting in our house over who's "turn" it is to do something first. Or, I should say, we did have lots of fighting.

I hear way too much whining about this topic and the other day I'd pretty much been driven to my wit's end. So, I came up with a solution. And it has completely stopped the whining. It's my new favorite thing.

I picked up a cheap Chick-Fil-A calendar that I had been suckered into buying after the new year and decided to put it to good use. It is now our, "Who Goes First Today?" calendar. (Don't ya love the fancy and creative name?)

Basically, I went through and alternated the girls names on every day of the week. And, if their name is on the day then it's their day to go first. I didn't claim it was insanely complex and innovative, but it works nonetheless. It has also helps them to recognize and spell their names so it's a double win.

I posted it on the kitchen lockers and now anytime they have a situation where someone goes first, they know to go check the calendar. It nips all the drama in the bud!

So, that's what's working for me this week. For more Works for Me Wednesday, head over to Shannon's Dryer!

17 comments:

Bryce said...

Excellent Tip! Thanks! Ill be getting myself one o' those calendars!

Mandi @ Life Your Way said...

I love it! Now, if I could just stop the fighting over everything else...

Anonymous said...

Oh what a cool idea!

World's Greatest Mommy said...

What a wonderful idea! We take turns at our house too, and I have to write them down to remember.

Totallyscrappy said...

I have a friend with two children. One was born on an odd numbered day and he gets to go first on the odd days of the month. The girl, born on an even day, goes first on even days!
Great tip.

Kim N said...

What a great idea! I think I will have to use this in my house. The kids love using calenders so it would be perfect for them.

Brenda said...

Great idea - thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

FABulous! I could definitely put this method to good use with the four munchkins in my house!

(I had the same calendar except I just cut out the coupons on the bottom of the pages and tossed the rest! Oops!)

Genny said...

I like this idea! Leaves no room for discussion. That can be such a good thing.

Julo said...

I do this when we ride in the car around town. Whenever we stop to run an errand, then it's the next person's turn to get shotgun, no matter how short or long the drive may be. It's helped!

Christine said...

How did you know I also have a two and four year old who fight?!

Audra Krell said...

After the calendar is used up, just assign permanent dates by days of the week, then you won't have to remember after awhile, you'll just know that Wednesday is so and so's day, etc. Thanks for the tip!

Unknown said...

You are a genius! :)

Coach Paulette said...

Great idea!

Anonymous said...

I can do that! Thought about doing something like that but just haven't got around to it. Thanks for the shove! :)

A Juggling Mum said...

Oh I do this too! I have five kids so we have to have rosters otherwise I would go insane!. We have rosters for the computer, PS2 and Foxtel (cable tv).
Life is so much nicer with them!

Rachel xxx

asnipofgoodness said...

that could be revolutionary, and yet so simple. thanks for sharing!