Get your children helping around the house: simplyconvivial.com/ehap

Mystie and Anna Laura Farnham discuss effective methods for managing kids' chores and household tasks. Learn about the Baby Step Bingo challenge, chore charts, and decluttering techniques that turn everyday tasks into engaging activities. Discover how to keep kids motivated and foster a cooperative family environment, ultimately getting more done with gratitude and creativity.

Anna Laura and her husband, Gandalf, live in Indiana and have six children ranging in age from toddler to teenager. Before kids, she earned two music degrees in oboe performance and worked in a corporate office, but she has set aside those careers to focus on being a mom and homemaker. She and her family stay busy with church fellowship, several sports, music, reading and generally being creative.

 **Focus on Baby Steps:** Anna learned to tackle small tasks one at a time, like removing cobwebs or wiping down the washing machine. These small steps made a big difference, especially during hectic times like pregnancy or postpartum.
- **Gamified Chores:** Anna translated the lessons from Baby Step Bingo into practical training tools for her children. Tasks are broken into manageable chunks, and the kids get to experience a sense of accomplishment when they check off items from their bingo charts.
- **Customizing for Each Child:** Each child's bingo chart is slightly different, catering to their specific needs and capabilities. This ensures that chores aren't monotonous and helps keep the kids engaged.
- **Age Appropriateness:** For younger children, like her five-year-old, Anna uses a smaller 4x4 bingo chart and simpler tasks. This approach makes it easier for them to participate and feel involved.
- **Encouraging Early Participation:** While her two-year-old doesn't have a structured bingo chart, she imitates her older siblings and helps out in small ways, fostering a sense of contribution from a young age.

**Adding Excitement to Household Chores**

Anna finds that changing up daily routines with something like Baby Step Bingo can make a big difference. For example, before a holiday or trip, they might include tasks like vacuuming a vehicle or packing clothes in the bingo charts. This adds variety and makes mundane chores exciting.

Welcome to the Simplified Organization Podcast - 15 minute conversations with real moms about managing our homes and family life cheerfully to the glory of God. We can actually enjoy housework and love being homemakers when we focus on truth and work with gratitude.

00:00 Introduction to the Simplified Organization Podcast
00:32 Meet Anna Laura Farnham
01:15 Baby Step Bingo: A Game-Changer for Homemaking
03:04 Implementing Baby Step Bingo with Kids
03:48 Chore Charts and Rewards
07:54 Customizing Bingo Cards for Each Child
13:47 Gamifying Household Tasks
16:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!

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