Don't forget to flush the toilet and wash your hands!!

My boys, love them dearly, consistently forget to flush the toilet and wash their hands. So I've implemented a few rules through the years to try and get them to remember. And I think we finally found a way that works.

Originally, I would continually remind them, every time they walked out of the bathroom. "Did you flush the toilet and wash your hands?" Usually I got a "oh I forgot" and then they turn around and do their job.  But this reminder method is so annoying. Why should I be constantly scanning over them reminding them, the idea is to get them to do it by themselves. So we had to think of something new.

So, silly as I am sometimes, I recorded myself on a voice memo on my smart phone saying "don't forget to flush the toilet and wash your hands." And I would just play the message every time the boys came out of the bathroom and they would be silly knowing that the message was going to be played back.

When the boys were being potty trained, every time they sat on the potty, then pee'd on the potty, they'd get a sticker or a single piece of candy (an MnM or a skittle). Where I failed was in that training. I didn't make THEM flush the toilet, I did it. I didn't make them wash their hands, I turned on/off the water and washed them up for them.

The boys are 8 and 4, and old enough to understand consequences. Siting at the table one day I asked what we should do hen they forget to flus and wash up? My oldest son said take candy away (and my younger son said no way), the younger said no cartoons (and the older one said no way, it's still summer!). Then the younger one said "ok, no candy." 

But I added "here's the deal: if you forget to flush the toulet OR wash your hands, and mom has to remind you of either responsibility, them there will be NO candy or ANY sweets, including ice cream, for the ENTIRE DAY." Both boys were smiling and saying "Ooohh, that's a tough one!" But they agreed its a good consequence to help remember there job. 

I am thrilled to report that over the course of ONE-WEEK, each one had forgotten at one time a part of their job. I asked "so, what's your consequence?" "No candy for the whhhooollleeee day!" That's right. They got a big hug, but handled it really well, no tears, saying I or got to flush when treats were doled out after dinner.

Finally - a method that works!!

The days are long, and wet, and sticky, and dirty, but the years are short. And there's bath time! Remember to enjoy their childhoods too.

Make mistakes, breathe, and don't forget to laugh.out.loud.