Goal Oriented!

We are a fairly "goal oriented" family. For as long as I can remember, we have always either helped the kids come up with yearly goals or they choose goals on their own. The key with any goal is writing it down. Somehow if it's in ink and in plain view, it's a reminder to keep it a priority.As you may know, it gets pretty busy here with 4 children and to boot... 4 children who attend 3 different schools at least for this year. We are on the go a lot so when we are home, it helps to have a system so we can have as much peace and harmony around as possible. Not saying we always have peace and harmony, but this helps...you know what I mean!

So this year we did things a bit differently. We sat with the kids individually and chatted about their goals they hope to accomplish. Great conversations come from this, trust me.

I may have mentioned this before, but it was my husband's idea to break the goals into more specific categories.

I have a blank one here for you to see. (promised the kids I would not post their goals for the world to see...it's such a personal thing and it should be)

Even our 5 year olds were able to come up with goals for these various categories: 3 Student, 3 Christian, 3 Family Member, 2 Athlete, 2 Hobby, and 2 Financial. It took some explaining and some funny conversations, but was not only doable but special. If you can't read across the top, it says Role (the type of goal...like I just listed), then Goal (they write what their goal is for that category, then How am I going to achieve my goal? (these can be funny answers), then Goal attained (they can fill in when or if they achieve their goal. And remember it helps to remind them of the scripture..."I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13

All 4 children have daily chore lists too which frankly helps keep the house running. You are expected to pitch in because you are a part of the family. Luke 12:48 "To whom much is given, much is expected..." this of course is for us parents too! By completing your daily list, you receive privileges which are special to you...depending on your age (playdates, TV time, weekend movie, dessert on weekends, i-pod use, e-mail use, etc.) Don't get me wrong, we have issues here with closet cleanliness and millions of tiny Lego pieces and Polly Pocket pieces all over everywhere. But I promised myself a long time ago to try to teach them this early (it takes a looooooooong time) for the sake of their future spouses!

Of course it helps to have a fancy broom when doing your chores and as you can see, Charlotte is already mastering multi-tasking....sweeping and chatting on the phone with her sweet grandmother!

Here's to teaching our children responsibility early and what it means to pitch in, then be rewarded for doing a great job! A win, win, win... Have a productive day!

xoxo,

C