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Being a part of a family is not something you can opt out of, just because you don't feel like it. Parents don't even get to take a day off from being a parent when they're sick. So, a child's lack of initiative is not be a viable excuse. If said chore is not done on
given day, unless otherwise pardoned, that child could be gotten out of bed at mid-night, if need be, to get it done.
Note:
daily chore should be lighter provided item #3 is also implemented.
3.) Learning to work as a team is a necessary tool for life.
Upon age of ability to learn, every child would have a part in
preparation of meals and or clean up of
kitchen; without complaint.
Those who participate in
preparation of a given family meal may or may not be excused from cleanup, depending upon fairness and necessity.
Children may have
option of choosing their particular kitchen chore(s), provided that works toward
benefit of
whole; final decision is up to adult(s), which decision may or may not alter daily and may also depend upon an individual child's need to learn a new task.
No one is excused from kitchen detail, unless otherwise pardoned, until
entire project is complete. Therefore, it is to
benefit of
whole to help each other toward completing needed tasks. And, it goes much more smoothly when everyone makes up their mind to get along.
4.) If children have such excessive penned up energy but what they can't seem to stop picking on each other or a general running off of
mouth which seems to be controlling them, these precious angels must have a serious physical problem they need our help with.
Therefore, except a stronger response is deemed necessary, each and every verbal and physical unkindness will be met with an additional chore that is to commence being accomplished from
moment so assigned. Of course, this law of consequences is only offered as a means to help them work off some of that penned up energy.
In such event,
first chore is to be minute. Then, if
behavioral issue is not immediately resolved, kindly let them know they can complete another chore when they get that one done. This procedure is to be continued, slightly increasing
degree of pressure, with each offense, until a task can be completed (from start to finish) without sounding off or otherwise having acted out.
The remarkable thing is that most children catch on really fast. And, you thought it couldn't be done. :-)
© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock http://www.angelslight.org/viewauthor.php?id=8 http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the email ministries "Heavenly Inspirations" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.