Toddler To-Do Chart Update

To motivate my three year old to get ready in the mornings, I recently made this Toddler To-Do Chart.

The first day, my son had a great time taking the clothes pins on and off and on and off, while running around the house in his underwear.  Needless to say, that was not exactly what I was hoping for. 

Once the newness of the clothespins wore off, we settled in to a nice routine of just using the chart as a visual checklist each day.  

I'm happy to report it has been working! 

Toddler To Do Chart

Routines. 


I am not one of those super organized types (unfortunately).

However, I do have my "routines" that are in place in order for our family to get up and out the door on school days.  My husband and I have been evaluating some of our routines and are trying to make some needed improvements.

I've discovered that there are good habits and bad habits that sneak their way into routines. Yes, my seven year old knows how to do his morning routine pretty well on his own, but he likes to moan and groan a little when mommy reminds him to go brush his hair and teeth.  When I ask my three year old to get dressed, he likes to reply with "No, you do it."

Being obedient with a grumbling heart is not truly being obedient.  I can feel pretty desperate at times being the momma of two very strong willed boys.  I desperately want to be a good momma to my boys, but more than that, I want to raise boys with a (non-grumbling) heart for the Lord.

My friend, Christina, has recommended a new book, Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe.  I am excited to get my copy and to learn more about others that are in the same situations as me and surviving.

In the meantime, I've created a little chore chart for my 3 year old to put some "fun" in our morning routine.  It is a picture chart I made with free clip art found online. When he completes a task, he gets to place the clothes pin on it....just like checking something off a to do list.

My three year old was helping me while I took pictures. Unfortunately, he hadn't really done much on the list yet and was still running around the house in his undies. :) But he had made his bed! 

If this chart will work for your little one, please feel free to print a copy for your personal use. 

And join in on the reading and discussion about Desperate Mom at The Lang Gang Loves. 

Reading the Word More

Last week I talked about "healthy" resolutions here. I've made a printable Bible reading tracker that I'd like to share to help you on your journey as we "focus on the health of our relationship with Christ, on exercising our faith, cleaning-up our hearts, and reading the Word more."

There are many great Bible reading plans.  I enjoy using the YouVersion app on my iPhone and taking advantage of the many reading plans available there.  However, I find that there are different seasons in our life throughout the year and I don't always stick with the predetermined reading plan.

I tend to jump around the Bible a bit depending upon a variety of reasons.  Where is God leading me to study, what book my pastor is spending a few weeks on, what Bible study am I participating in, etc.

The important part is to BE in the Word.  I have made this tracker to simply, well, to "keep track" of what I have read.  It is not a reading plan, just a tracker of where I've spent some time.

I hope you enjoy using it as much as I do.

Simply click on the first images below to enlarge then right-click to save to your computer ("control" & mouse click on a Mac) and then print.  I chose to print mine on one piece of paper (front and back).  It can then be folded and slipped into your Bible.

Just use a pencil and cross out what you've read.

Bible Reading Tracker:

Linked up with:

Life in Grace