In my ward's last Enrichment night an organization expert came and talked about organizing/cleaning. I missed the meeting but I heard about one thing a sister in my ward does to help keep her house clean and get the kids to help. I decided to try it because nothing else has worked for me so far! One of my friend's posted on her blog about this too so I thought I this was definitely worth a try. The gobble bag made it's first appearance in our house last night after FHE. Our lesson was about keeping our house clean and all of us doing our part to help create a "house of order,...not a house of confusion" (D&C 132:8). We then introduced them to the gobble bag and told them that ANYTHING left out when they went to bed would be "eaten up" by the gobble bag and they wouldn't get it back until the next FHE (Monday night). Needless to say, there was a lot of concern and "what if's" adressed. Homework, school books, clothes/shoes, toys, whatever it is, it will go in the bag if it's left out! (I even told Caleb I'd send him to school with a note saying 'the gobble bag ate his homework' if he leaves stuff out! He's not about to test that challenge!) Right after family prayer, they all ran off to clean the whole entire house!! And it didn't take them very long to do it either!! I was impressed with how great the house looked when I went to bed...and we didn't even have company coming over! (Lately it hasn't looked that spotless unless we had company coming over!) The gobble bag didn't get very full the first night. It mostly just had a snack, but it did get one or two good things to 'eat'.
Here it is- night two and the house looks just as great! Jared keeps asking me about the gobble bag. (I don't have an 'official' bag yet; just a basket.) Any ideas where to find a bag suitable for the job?
2 comments:
It might seem large at first, but a duffe-style laundry bag. You can get them at Wal-Mart for like $5 and some of them are canvas type that you can paint or draw on. It could be way cute.
Another thought...you could use one of the Scrapaway tote bags we get each time we go. I know that I have like 5 of them and have nothing to do with them...they just sit in the closet.
Fun idea though. I have heard of families doing this with a little different twist. IF by chance something is left out that is desperatly needed before the next FHE, then the child has to either pay (or give up some allowance) or do an extra chore to get the item back. This might work for Caleb and Kaitlyn in case they leave out homework or school books/bags. Better than going without all week. Plus it will teach them that things come at a price when not taken care of.
I love your GOBBLE bag - whatever you use, it's the training that's important. Great job with your kids. PS: I'm not getting email advisement when your blog changes. I really liked that, can you fix it? Mom
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