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[quote=Anonymous]So we have two kids about to start middle school and they contribute alot to keeping the house organized and themselves sorted out.  Lists worked for us in the beginning to get them moving and sorting out all the steps involved in things like getting ready for bed or up for school.  If I had only said go get ready for bed they would have had a difficult time knowing where to start and what all "getting ready" meant.  Now they know - upstairs to shower including wash hair, face, bottoms of feet, arm pits (amazing that they would miss this stuff), dry off, hang up towel, lotion, brush hair, brush teeth, put away toothbrushes, get on clean PJs, put dirty clothes in the hamper, get out clothes for the next day, find a book to read, close curtains/windows on their bedroom windows.

So go get ready for bed actually means a whole long list of different activities that they  had to be coached through, a list put up on a sticky note next to the mirror, and for a few weeks spot checked.

Same is true for the morning - get dressed, fold PJs, make bed, choose breakfast (I cook for them), walk dog, brush teeth, brush hair, wash off milk mustaches, get homework checked by a parent and put in backpack, check in about afternoon plans/pick up.

I could go on and on.  They are about 99% proficient at doing what needs to be done without asking or reminding. Some days better than others.  Took a few weeks of breaking it down, reminding, checking and now they can do it on their own.

Good luck.  I think skills like this are essential for later in life. I cannot tell you the number of junior staff I manage who seem to have a really hard time successfully breaking down big tasks and managing their time.[/quote]

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