Because my Little Guy is such a "caboose", arriving well after my years of toddler/preschool intensive training were over, I find that there are skills that I expect him to have learned by...well, osmosis, I guess, because I certainly haven't taken the time to teach him! Other mommies of more than a few tell me that this is NOT a unique circumstance.



Part of my "back to school" training is taking time to teach him some basics. This week we began scripture memory work for his Cubbie class. It's taken multiple daily sessions, but as of today, he'll chirp the Cubbie Motto: "Jesus Loves Me!" and the key verse, "God loved us and sent His Son. --1John 4:10". Sometimes you have to strain to understand him, but it seems a little bit of a miracle to hear the Word from the mouth of a child we weren't at all sure would ever be intelligible.



I've also gone back to basics with my older children. Review is the way that the school year starts, right? I've decided that I'm going to leave them without excuses in the area of household chores (that we've already trained them in!). Instead of a nagging aggravated mom pointing out issues, this little checklist now hangs in the kitchen for them to self-assess.

Have I REALLY Finished Cleaning the Kitchen??

1. Are the counters and table clear of all dishes, towels, cooking implements and food?

2. Have the counters and tables been sprayed and wiped down? Did I MOVE objects to clean behind things?

3. Is the stainless steel (microwave, fridge, dishwasher) free of marks and/or fingerprints?

4. Are there visible splotches on the woodwork, walls, back splash or floor that need to be wiped up?

5. Have I VACUUMED the hard floors downstairs? (Brooms are for quick clean ups only) Did I MOVE things when I vacuumed? Did I shake out the rugs?

6. Is the dishwasher set to run later?

7. Does the trash need to be taken out?

8. Have I turned out the lights?


Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23

For extra credit, a back to school essay question: Is Heather a charter member of the Mean Mommy Club? Discuss.