All children need to learn habits early. I have seen many children grow into adults that can't function in the world because they don't have good habits in place before they leave home. That's not the life that I want my children to have. Perhaps because of Logan's autism, I am hyper sensitive of the future and what needs to be done to help him live
independently with minimum supports in place. But don't get me wrong here. These lessons are just as important for Madison. Autism or not, these lessons are imperative to their education.
Ordinary Days: The Formation of Habit: Charlotte Mason Style This blog post over at Ordinary Days does an excellent job of explaining what Charlotte Mason thought of habit formation. I read it just as I implemented some new routines in our house , namely chores, bedtime and lessons. At that moment when I read it , I was trying to do all three at once. I am so glad that God led me to click on that post. The results have been so worth it.
I decided that bedtime was probably the easiest to implement so I started there. The children readily accepted that there was a new bedtime. I set it at 10 PM. This was late enough that they would still sleep in a bit in the mornings when Michael is trying to sleep as well from working all night. BUT it was early enough for me to be able to unwind from the day and do a final pass through of the house for the day. Win- win!
The first couple of nights went good. I thought this is way too easy. Then Logan decided that he wanted to start getting ready for bed at 10 PM. The rules were clearly explained at the beginning that they had to have finished their showers, brushed their teeth and physically be in bed at 10 PM. So, the punishment for him was that he had to go to bed the following day at 9:45 PM. He was not a happy camper.
Madison's downfall has been the you can only get up once rule. I swear that child will get up 50 times. For nothing! So, 5 minutes come off the next night's bedtime for every time that she gets up. Logan has only had to do this a time or two when he forgot something in the main areas that he had to get up and put away. (Yes, it counts toward your time if I have to get you up to clean up your mess. What a mean mommy I am!)
In our quest to
transfer more responsibility to Logan and Madison, I don't tell them to go get a shower
or brush their teeth or even the time for that matter. I expect them to keep track of the time and get everything they need to get done before then. I clearly spelled out what I expected them to have done and that I also expected them to get it done themselves.
It's been about 3 weeks since this routine was
implemented here in
autismland. I see it transforming into habits for them. I see their pride in taking ownership of their time management in the evening. Above all, it has taken my stress level down significantly. For me, it is one less thing to worry about although it makes me a little sad to see my children grow up. But that is another post altogether. Now, on to forming new habits for lessons and chores!
Ordinary Days: The Formation of Habit: Charlotte Mason Style
This blog post over at Ordinary Days does an excellent job of explaining what Charlotte Mason thought of habit formation. I read it just as I implemented some new routines in our house , namely chores, bedtime and lessons. At that moment when I read it , I was trying to do all three at once. I am so glad that God led me to click on that post. The results have been so worth it.
I decided that bedtime was probably the easiest to implement so I started there. The children readily accepted that there was a new bedtime. I set it at 10 PM. This was late enough that they would still sleep in a bit in the mornings when Michael is trying to sleep as well from working all night. BUT it was early enough for me to be able to unwind from the day and do a final pass through of the house for the day. Win- win!
The first couple of nights went good. I thought this is way too easy. Then Logan decided that he wanted to start getting ready for bed at 10 PM. The rules were clearly explained at the beginning that they had to have finished their showers, brushed their teeth and physically be in bed at 10 PM. So, the punishment for him was that he had to go to bed the following day at 9:45 PM. He was not a happy camper.
Madison's downfall has been the you can only get up once rule. I swear that child will get up 50 times. For nothing! So, 5 minutes come off the next night's bedtime for every time that she gets up. Logan has only had to do this a time or two when he forgot something in the main areas that he had to get up and put away. (Yes, it counts toward your time if I have to get you up to clean up your mess. What a mean mommy I am!)
In our quest to transfer more responsibility to Logan and Madison, I don't tell them to go get a shower or brush their teeth or even the time for that matter. I expect them to keep track of the time and get everything they need to get done before then. I clearly spelled out what I expected them to have done and that I also expected them to get it done themselves.
It's been about 3 weeks since this routine was implemented here in autismland. I see it transforming into habits for them. I see their pride in taking ownership of their time management in the evening. Above all, it has taken my stress level down significantly. For me, it is one less thing to worry about although it makes me a little sad to see my children grow up. But that is another post altogether. Now, on to forming new habits for lessons and chores!