WFMW: The Timer

My family uses a timer for just about everything! For some reason the girls respond really well to it. Here are some things we use the timer for:

10 minute warning before nap time and bed time--this helps them mentally prepare themselves that an end to their fun is shortly coming rather than abruptly interrupting whatever it was they were doing. (When you think about it, we wouldn't like it either if someone did that to us!) When the timer goes off, this begins our clean up time followed by bed time.

No one is allowed up before 7am. Occasionally when they try to wake up earlier, I set the timer and let them know that I will be in when the timer goes off. As children get older, you can put a digital clock in their room and tell when they see the numbers 7-0- 0, they can get up.

When arguments break out over toys--the toy either gets put away for 10 minutes or they have to sit in time out

When mommy or papi need some time to do things around the house, and etc...

It's endless, simple, effective and worth a try! For more ideas, head on over to Shannon's at Rocks in My Dryer to check out the some other cool stuff! Be sure to check out the 10 o'clock scholar for a great laundry tip!