She Buildeth Her House

parenting

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A Kid and Mommy Approved Clean Up Game

Photo by Kristin Brown on Unsplash

Do you ever feel like your house SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS when you have your back turned? (Oh wait…is that just me???)

I have a one year old and a five year old, and try as I may, when we are home, especially if there’s been lots of fun going on, it gets a liiiiiiittle CRAZY sometimes.

One day, as I could feel the overwhelmed feeling creeping up in my chest, the Lord put a game in my mind for us to try. It’s super easy because I’m into super easy around here! (The only stipulation is your kid has to be old enough to count for it to work well.) Here’s what you do.



1. Choose a prize/incentive. In our house, the winner gets to choose a 10-15 min activity to do with the family either immediately after the game or at bedtime. Immediately after is best in my opinion because then you don’t forget! You could suggest reading a story aloud to them, do play doh together, blow bubbles outside, play hide n seek, get out a board game, water paint. You know your kids, so use whatever motivates them! And really, the key here is do something TOGETHER whenever possible. (Kids crave one-on-one quality time with you, whether you realize it or not.)

2. Set the timer for 5-10 minutes (I have used longer times if needed but I’ve found shorter times work best so we stay on task!)


3. Everyone (including you!) start cleaning, and for every item you pick up, or quick task you do, you earn one point. Be sure to emphasize the importance of putting things IN THEIR HOME, not shoving them under the bed 🙂

One piece of trash into the trash can=1 point
Wiping the table off=1 point
Putting three pieces of dirty laundry into the hamper=3 points
Putting 10 legos into the bin=10 points

You get the idea.


4. Count out loud to build the suspense, keep everyone honest, and to get more done quicker! (If you’re like us and forget which number you’re on, just pick one close to where you think you are and go with it. Remember the point is to pick up, not really being ridiculously exact on the numbers.)

5. Declare a winner and celebrate!! Who doesn’t love being encouraged!? And remember, if mommy wins, she can choose 15 minutes of quiet time!!! (Ok, if you want to be the fun mom I wouldn’t suggest this, but I have considered it!!!)



This activity serves so many purposes. Like…

>a relatively clean house

>everyone cleans together so mommy doesn’t feel like a martyr and kids learn responsibility and teamwork

>counting practice

> quality time with your kids

>opportunity to teach kids how to lose graciously

BONUS TIPS:
*Sometimes if there’s something with lots of pieces, it may seem kind of unfair because one person gets like 50 points at once, but really….who cares if you don’t have to pick them up!?

*If you don’t get it all done, celebrate what you did get done! And keep your word to play with them afterwards.

*This game helps ME because sometimes I see so many items that its overwhelming of where to start, and I get distracted very easily, but honestly, sometimes 5-10 minutes of super-speed cleaning andeverything is mostly back in order!!

*This works MUCH better if you do it a few times a day instead of waiting til bedtime when everyone is tired and grouchy to try to do the whole house. We aim for before meals and/or before we leave for an outing.

*Don’t keep extending the time. No one likes to clean when there’s not an end in sight! (Right??!!) Be fair and if you tell them 10 minutes, do 10 minutes and then go play with your kids!!

Try it and let me know if it works for you!!








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7 Simple Ways to Reconnect with Your Little One

 Do you ever feel like maybe your little one (who’s not so little anymore) is just not as connected to you as they used to be? Maybe it’s from busyness, maybe from life circumstances out of your control, or maybe even a phase they are going through.

Capturing our children’s hearts is so important when training them in the way they should go, so that they won’t depart from that way when they grow up! (Proverbs 22:6), and I personally have found that a very effective way to do this is through intentional communication. We recently had a period of time where I just didn’t feel as connected to my little one as I used to , so here are a few ways I’ve found that really opened up communication again and gave us time to just enjoy each other’s company. 

These ideas are simple and free (or almost free). Just pick one or two and try them!

  1. Go for a walk together and hold hands (NO PHONES ALLOWED). Few things are as lovely as a quiet walk through a park or some place away from all the hustle and bustle. It will give both of you a chance to just chat about all the things you don’t get to mention as you scurry here and there. It doesn’t have to be long. Just 15-20 minutes can make all the difference. And talk about what matters to THEM, caterpillars or clouds. It might seem like little stuff to you, but it’s big stuff to them. (Bonus Tip: Take a moment to think of someone who REALLY listens to you when you talk, and think about how that makes you feel, and then seek to be that person for your child.)

  2. Make up a story together. You don’t have to be creative. It doesn’t have to be great. Or even good. Or even make sense! Just say “Once upon a time, there was a ….” and let your child fill in the blanks. Go back and forth, taking turns. It will be fun. Promise ☺️

  3. Play dress up. Don’t shrug this one off because it requires too much effort. Use whatever you can find! Role play. Forget that you’re an adult, or that you have 101 things to do, and just engage FULLY with your child. You won’t regret it. 

  4. Plant something. Maybe you’re like me and have a pack of seeds you’ve been going to plant forever. Just do it! If it’s winter, plant something indoors. There’s nothing like watching your plant sprout and grow together (or even wilt and die if you are like me! )

  5. Intentionally match each other and go out for ice cream or hot chocolate. They won’t be little forever and thus WANT to match with you. You don’t even have to really match. Just find a red shirt for you both, or silly hats, or matching shoes. It’s all in the presentation. If you’re excited, they will be too! 

  6. Ask and answer random questions at dinner. There are plenty of questions you can print off online. But don’t just look them up. Take time to print them and leave them on your table so you’ll see them and remember to do it. We do this several nights a week and my little girl loves it! Everything from “What is your favorite color?” to “What is your biggest fear?” sparks fun conversations!

  7. Snuggle up with blankets, pillows and snacks and REALLY WATCH a show with them. Confession: I often I use our (rare) family movie nights as nap time. My mom used to do this too and I never understood why. (I totally get it now, mom!) But make it a point to NOT fall asleep or be on your phone, and really watch what’s going on. You’d be amazed at the conversations you can have about the situations the characters find themselves in that will teach your kids far more than a lecture.  And kids know when you’re paying attention. Trust me.

The key to all of these ideas is to ENGAGE. Don’t let your mind be distracted. FOCUS on these little people God has given you and treat them with the same respect you want to be treated with. PAY ATTENTION to them. After all, the Bible tells us in Proverbs 29:15 that “…a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Are you leaving your children to raise themselves? If you are, remember that the end result will NOT be a good thing for you OR them.

I hope these simple ideas help you reconnect with your little kiddo(s). If you have idea you want to share, comment below! 

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How to Instantly Get Rid of the Grumpies!

Have you ever had one of THOSE DAYS?

You know, one of those days where no one is happy.

Babies crying…
little people complaining….
messes happening….
and mommy just wants to go back to bed?


(Or maybe its just me that has those days??? Anyway…)


On one of these type of days, I was trying desperately to keep a good attitude, and so I made up a random game.

The thankful game.

Profound, right? It’s so simple its kind of embarrassing, but it worked so well for us and has become a go-to that my 5 year old asks for when she is having a hard time calming down or thinking good thoughts, or even if she’s bored in the car! Here are the directions:

1. Think of something you’re thankful for that starts with the letter A.
2. Take turns til you get to the letter Z.
3. The end.

We almost never make it to Z before we all have renewed spirits and smiles, accompanied by tickles and hugs.


I mean, who can keep a grumpy heart when we are being thankful for Jesus and for each other and kitties and toilets and everything in between!?

Sound too simple? Yeah, I thought so too. But try it! It can’t hurt. Besides, couldn’t we all use a little more gratitude in our lives?

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” Proverbs 17:22