2 weeks later.

Remember this?
http://lmand12js.blogspot.com/2008/12/posted.html
Thought I'd report back on it, since I didn't have anything else exciting to post today.
So here's some answers to your questions "Does it really work" and "How's it working out so far".
First of all Let me re-assure you, that I didn't wait 30 years after having my first child to try to instill good habits. My older children will re-assure you that their mother spent hours nagging & whining & making notes & giving chores, etc. (They'll probably tell you a few more things too, but ignore them!!)
Second of all, for those of you with children, Don't wait. You can't start too soon!
Yes, I'll admit that it's taken me much too long to figure out some of the basics, like if you want your kids to hang up their coats in the closet, you'd better too! I know, sounds pretty basic, huh?
That really is the essence of it tho, and so no, you really can't start too soon!
The next thing that I'll remind you of, is that even 7 year old's (my youngest) are much easier to train than 17 or 24 year olds, (my two oldest at home) even if the older ones SHOULD know better.
Probably the biggest thing I've learned about making house-hold/kid "rules" is that you have to be consistent & stick with it, or it falls by the wayside. Which of course has been the problem here, NOT that I haven't tried, or stated the "rules" before now! Most anything works for a while.
Another thing I've learned is in posting the rules, they are in front of them all the time. No one can claim "I forgot" or "I didn't hear you" or "I didn't know you meant that"!
So in 2 weeks, how has it went?
With 6 kids at home, I've picked up dirty clothes off the bathroom floor 2x and from the living room floor 1x.
I haven't had to change the T. paper empty roll at all (and yes, it has got used!!)
I've boxed up one small box for goodwill from stuff they've left laying around that they didn't pick up, and I realized it wasn't stuff they needed or cared about either one, so "good bye, clutter!"
And, I think I've cleaned up the "hair mess" maybe 2x, no more. (now considering the 24 yr. old was the biggest offender on that one.....YEA!)
We still have a little problem with them hanging up their coats & putting back-packs away after school. Coats has always been a problem in this house, and I honestly can't figure out why. We have a coat closet 2 feet from the front door. Hangers & hooks both available, and within reach for "shorties". And, I don't leave my coat in the living room. Ever.
We did have a "woops" the other night, I was stirring up the fireplace & grabbed a couple papers off the floor & tossed them in & a little bit later Morgen asked me if I'd seen his math papers.....
It evidently was them. Sorry, I didn't mean to throw away the school work!!.... BUT, you were also told not to throw your papers all over the floor & keep your schoolbooks & papers together!
Most everything else has went very good, and the best thing....I don't have to remember what I've told them, or not told them!
*Just a note here. In case you're so inclined to write & post notes in your house, my advise is to make sure they covered in some type of clear plastic (I use page protectors) and taped securely. Otherwise my kids tend to make their own "smart comments" on it, or/and, after while the paper gets taken down & lost in the shuffle.