About a year ago I was having a lot of trouble with my children wasting food and drinks. They would leave half-eaten plates of food on the counter or at the table and deny ownership. I decided to buy new plates, cups, and bowls and assign colors to each child. These new place settings are small which I like. We now have much less waste and I know immediately who the dishes are for if they are not put in the sink. I allow them to have one cup a day and they keep it in a certain place on the counter. They know to rinse it out and reuse it. I have less dishes to wash now too.
This was working so well that we now implemented a color system for towels. Each child has three towels for the week (along with their bathrobe) in their designated color . I wash these on the weekends. If they run out before then...they must drip dry (and then figure out how to wipe up the water on the floor!). I had to take this step because a certain child of mine felt it necessary to use THREE towels after her bath...one for her hair, one for her body, and one to go OVER the bathmat.
Christine, this is a great idea! If I didn't have such a fear of organization (it's so foreign and unfamiliar!) I would try it immediately. : )
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