Raising tiny humans is tough; we spend a lot of time as moms second guessing everything we do. Could we do it better? Could we do it differently? Will it all make a difference in the end? We know we are preparing these kids for the future, but are we doing it the right way?
The other day at work I ran across something that really stuck out to me as applicable at home; then the light went off … Why can’t I apply some of the same concepts used in corporate America to my household? I, too, am trying to achieve a positive and cohesive environment that is made up of happy people. If this symbiotic relationship can occur at work with a few adjustments from employees, I should be able to instill the same good habits into my family of five.
Acknowledge, Correct, and Thank
Y’all, is it that simple??
We encounter a lot of problems in our house; nothing serious, but trivial things that make me want to pull my hair out on the reg. My oldest are five and seven years old. Old enough to participate in most conversations. Old enough to learn how to problem solve. Do not whine to me about it; come up with a solution. But it is also my job as their mom to provide them with the tools they need to problem solve successfully.
Homework is a struggle for us; actually that is an understatement. Homework is misery. One plays or reads (everyone has 20 minutes of reading/day) while I help the other through their homework and then they switch. The baby walks around the house getting into trouble, then gets hungry and bored, and then he starts screaming/hanging on whatever chair I am sitting in. Last week as my son wiggled and whined his way through homework, I stopped everything and asked him how I could make this daily task better for him.
A.C.T.
Acknowledge: Homework is a struggle for everyone involved. So I asked the simple question: what would make this better?
Correct: He stated that a quiet, separate space designated for homework would make things easier.
Thank: Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
DONE.
For the most part it really is that simple. My kids need a place to do homework where they have a door to close. A place that is quiet, and they are able to focus and hear their own thoughts. I need my kids’ school stuff to not be spread all over my kitchen island and a baby that is not walking around crying and unattended to for an hour each day. All I have to do is stop myself when I realize we have a process that is broken, and ask how I can fix it.
The Solution
We are switching out the kids’ bedrooms. The nursery/guest room will become the big kids’ room with space for their own desks and work space. The big kids’ room will become a nursery. What do we lose? A queen size bed that my parents sleep in eight times a year when they come to visit. But we are doing homework 144 days out of the year. So it is clearly a no brainer.
This simple concept can be applied to so many things at home. If I just stop and take the time to ask a few simple questions, my family is instantly problem solving together. It makes me stop and think about what else I am missing from work that I can apply at home.
This simple concept applied in the corporate and domestic environment lets you (and your family) problem solve like a boss.
