Recently, two of my GrandBlessings, almost 8 & 10 years old, stayed with me for a week for the first time (they are a relatively new addition to our family 🥰).  Because having lived alone for many years now, my life of quiet, peace, and silence, rarely with tv or even music on, I was super excited to have them, but a bit iffy about the constant chatter, movement, interruptions, etc.  What could we do to have an enjoyable time and still keep my sanity???   

  Here are a few things that made a difference: 

1. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
2. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
3. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 

1. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
2. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
3. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 
4. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
5. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
6. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 
7. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
8. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
9. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 
10. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
11. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
12. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 
13. We talked about Expectations and Choices, in front of their Mom. 
14. Each had their own color of cup, plate, and bowl.  (Could fill their own water glass, with a specific place to keep it) 
15. Each got to have a ‘Creativity Corner’.  As they got to have their own quiet space, filling it with a pillow to sit on, a lamp, water, notepad or journal, pens/pencils/colors, books, solid surface (table or tray), etc. 

Remove 4 quarters for: 

1. Lying 
2. Fighting 
3. After a discussion about how it FEELS when lying, or manipulating their sibling causing tears, and how it FEELS when CHOOSING to be kind and helpful, I had them create a KIND/Mean card.  They wrote the word KIND on one side of a blank note card and Mean on the other side, and decorated them accordingly.   
4. When they catch themselves CHOOSING to be KIND, they give themselves a hashmark on the KIND side. They CHOOSE to be Mean, and catch themselves, apologize and CHOOSE to switch to KINDNESS, they give themselves a hashmark on the KIND side and when they CHOOSE to be Mean, they turn their card to the Mean side with a hashmark. 
5. This is primarily for THEIR own conscience, not to gain adult approval. 
6. This is about CHOOSING.  About SELF-Discipline.  About the Feelings, more than the actions. 
7. At bedtime, they loved meditations/affirmations by Kids:
     https://youtu.be/90tJl8Ui3Uc
    & https://youtu.be/Bf0qDf-m9jw  

  Next time, we will learn about the chatterbox in our heads that never shuts up, and how to begin taming it….. without the verbal running commentary.  I think I will have a showdown with them, speaking out loud every thought, so we can laugh at how ridiculous it is.  May this Bless YOUR Family!