Tuesday’s Tips: How To Get Kids Out The Door With a Smile

 Here’s what Andrea writes:

My biggest stress each school morning is always getting everyone out the door in a reasonable amount of time. It seemed, until recently, the kids scattered away from the door or became distracted by other matters whenever I announced it was time to leave. I always hate resorting to yelling as a “motivator” despite its effectiveness, so I began to pray about a solution.

Here’s what God inspired in me…

Andrea’s sweet clan, motivated and moving!

To help motivate my children to get out the door, especially when we have to be somewhere on time like school or church, I set the timer for 5 min. (I usually given them a 5-10 minute warning before I set the timer so they can gather up any needed items that aren’t already handy.) 


If they are out the door before the timer beeps, they earn a check mark. Ten check marks earns them a small treat. 


I added the extra twist (and a lesson in saving vs. spending) by giving them the option to cash in their 10 check marks for a small treat or save up 50 check marks for a larger one. 


So far, this drastically has reduced the time it takes all of us to get out the door and each of the kids has decided to hold out for the promise of the bigger treat. I’m already seeing the good fruit of this idea…less stress, less yelling and the fun of looking forward to rewarding my children for their motivation in wanting to get out the door on time.


If you like Andrea’s idea, why not take a minute to pop on over to her blog and let her know. Plus, I guarantee you’ll be blessed by the encouragement you find at her place!