I don’t know about you, but I get very tired repeating the same thing over and over: “You need to get dressed. Why aren’t you dressed? You need to get dressed NOW!” The constant chatter makes me very cranky and not so nice.

As a teacher, I always wrote what I expected of my students on the blackboard: write your name on your paper, complete the assignment, put your paper in the assignment basket and take out a book to read when you are done. They knew what to do. If they got off task I simply reminded them to read the list on the board. I would go about my business and I was not the "nagging teacher." If my students did not finish their work, they would stay inside at recess. I didn’t need to raise my voice or get mad; by writing my expectations down it became their responsibility, not mine.

If this worked in my classroom it should work in my home, right? The answer is YES! I began writing down what I expected and unbelievably my kids began doing their jobs with little to no whining or complaining. It was as if they enjoyed the responsibility of the task and the accomplishment of checking their job off the list. The best part was I wasn’t nagging anymore!

Designate a place for writing: a blackboard, a whiteboard or a piece of paper. Write down what you expect: make your bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, clear your plate, and make your lunch. Explain what you expect: “If you finish all your jobs you will earn time with your friends this afternoon.” And then the best part, hand them a marker and walk away! You have helped your kids learn about responsibility, the “nagging mommy” goes away and getting out the door on time becomes a reality. It is a win-win for everyone.