It really got me thinking. Sure we had the kids help out a little here or there when we were cooking, but not on a regular basis. Yes they all have their daily chores, and the older kids are able to make their own sandwich for lunch and make a simple breakfast of cereal or toast but not much more than that.
My friend mentioned that she made a goal list. I LOVE that idea!!!! What all do I want my kids to be able to do by the time they are certain ages? I am still working on compiling a list, however I did have a few ideas off the top of my head.
Showering/Bathing is one of them. Our 5 and 6 year olds struggled with showering and bathing because the shampoo and soap bottles were too big for their little hands. Trying to turn the large bottles upside down and squirt out enough soap/shampoo but not too much was hard for them. Add that into weak fine motor skills for our two 6 year olds with Down syndrome and it was just not something they were able to do.
To help fix this, I used some empty handsoap bottles for their body wash and shampoo, and then got my husband to decorate them so the kids could tell which one was for their hair and which one was for their body. It is working like a charm and is exactly what they needed. Now they can go in the bathroom, turn on the water to the right temperature, and wash their own body and hair!! Yahh!!!
blow drying and brushing her hair
Cooking was another thing we have started to work on on a more regular basis. Now at least once or twice per week the kids work on cooking.
making Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
making mini pizzas
helping Daddy stir the curry
My oldest daughter gifted us with her sewing machine that she used when she was younger. She has outgrown it and now uses much more advanced sewing machines. I am going to start teaching the kids (I will start with our bigger kids) how to make some simple things. We will start with pillows. (something my oldest kids use to do when they would go visit their grandma when they were younger) Sewing has never been anything I am good at, so this will be a project for all of us to work on. Pray for us on this one.... we will all need it!
For our oldest girls (age 17) their goals list will be part of their school life as well.
- How to plan a healthy diet
- How to grocery shop
- How to prepare a few favorite meals
- How to use/clean a microwave, oven & stove
- How to store food safely
- How to use basic kitchen tools (can opener, knives, mixer
- How to sew on a button
- How to do basic mending
- How to wash & care for clothing (how to follow care labels)
- How to perform basic first aid
- How to fix a running/clogged toilet
- How to hang a picture
- How to change a light bulb
- How to use basic tools (hammer, screw driver, drill)
- How to clean & vacuum
- How to set the table
- How to organize belongings
- How to plan their own day
- How to say "no" respectfully
- How to be a respectful houseguest
- How to write a thank you note
In addition to this I have been working on trying to help our kids understand the difference between addition and subtraction. Yes the symbol is different but sometimes they need more of a visual.
It seems to be just the visual she needed to grasp the difference between addition and subtraction.
more school work
I love that he is enjoying drawing now.
It is really helping with his fine motor skills.
Learning to be more independent has had great results!
She is gaining confidence and is starting to be more bold and brave.
look who is learning to pump on a swing!!!
You can also hear Veronika in the background saying "Out, In" as she reminds herself to pump her legs. She has been pumping for a few months now but will sometimes say
the words to remind herself.
look who is learning to pump on a swing!!!
You can also hear Veronika in the background saying "Out, In" as she reminds herself to pump her legs. She has been pumping for a few months now but will sometimes say
the words to remind herself.
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