How does the Superfamily stay organized?

I’ve had a lot of questions about raising four Superkids, which I have to admit is a bit of a challenge, but one that I do enjoy (on most days)! Most of the questions that come up are how do I stay organized & how do I motivate the Superkids?

One of my favorite ways to stay organized & keep my Superfamily organized is by having a family binder.

There’s a bunch of different information that families need on a regular basis. Information that often ends up being scattered around the house. The family binder makes it easy to keep everything together, in one reference book.

Putting one together is super easy (o: Buy a three-ring binder, and a bunch of plastic sheet protectors. Then print out forms (you can make your own, as I usually do, or find them on the internet) that you can fill in as needed.

What goes in the family binder? Anything you need. Here are some ideas (including some that I use) — but you should feel free to customize it as needed:

Emergency info: Phone numbers for your doctor and pediatrician, emergency numbers for fire and police and hospital and poison control, other important numbers.

Important info: Social security numbers for your kids, health insurance info, medication info. & anything else you need to refer to frequently.

Family contract: See below (o:

Daily Responsibilities: See below (o:

Important docs: Birth certificates, marriage license, insurance stuff, shot records, etc.

Family calendar: I like to use a planner that I keep inserted in my binder.

Weekly menu: Plan out your weekly dinners for the next week or two.

Recipes: Your family’s favorites, which makes it easier to make the shopping list once you’ve done the weekly menu.

Gift ideas: write down ideas for birthdays and Christmas as they come up.

Reading/watching lists: books, dvds, cds, other things you want to buy/rent.

Checklists: any checklists that help you remember things: packing lists, chores lists, car maintenance schedule, etc.

Finances: your budget, spending log, bills to pay, etc.

School stuff: school calendars, newsletters, any other papers that come in.

Ideas: I print out lists of activities I like to do with the kids, and other idea lists.

I also include Bible verses for myself ... these come in handy when I am having a particularly bad day ... fast Bible verse relief at my fingertips (o:

I just recently posted my favorite Old & New Testament verses of encouragement strength and hope you an find those here (o:


Superfamily Contract

Superdad & I included the Superkids when making our family contracts. In our family contract we list the things that are important to us. We also include any rules that might have changed or any new rules that might have been added. After it has been finalized the entire family signs it. Superdad & I believe this teaches kids about responsibility & accountability which = Superkids (o:

Here is our family contract for 2010

Areas of Commitment:

Go to church every Wednesday & Sunday health permitting

Donate 10% off all earnings to God (includes any gifted money)

Read the Bible every day

Read a devotion every day

Have a family Bible study once a week

Write in our prayer journals every day

Pray every day

Treat each other with respect including the way that we speak towards each other

Volunteer to do some charity work this year

Eat healthier

New Rules For 2010

Limit video game time to 1 1/2 hours a day on *school/church days/nights (once school is complete & if not punished)

Bed time is 9 pm on school/church nights

*Sun., Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Sat.


Daily Responsibilities

I don't know about your kids, but mine need consistency & reminders. I have found that the best way to get the kids to remember their daily responsibilities is to make lists for them. I also like to post it everywhere ... on the fridge, on the bulletin board, on their desks, etc. I also make them clip boards for their daily responsibilities. These they can carry around with them.

You can see their clip boards here (o:

Here are some of their daily responsibilities & reminders (o:

Jacob's Morning

Take medication
Let the cats in & put Daphney out
Feed & water the cats
Take a shower
Make sure shower curtain is closed before you leave the bathroom
Fold PJs or put dirty clothes into laundry basket
Make your bed (on Mondays pull sheets off of your bed for washing & on Wednesdays put your towel into the dirty laundry for washing)
Eat
Brush teeth
Start school
Read your Bible

Jacob's Afternoon

Unload & load the dishwasher
Hang up clothes from wash
Put clean clothes away
Feed & water the cats

Zachary's Morning

Fold PJs or put dirty clothes in laundry basket
Fold your blanket & put away (on Mondays pull sheets off of your bed for washing & on both Mondays & Wednesdays put your towel into the dirty laundry for washing)
Scoop liter boxes
Take the trash out
Feed & water Daphney
Feed & water the goats & the chickens
Take any outgoing mail to the mailbox
Unload & load the dishwasher
Eat
Brush Teeth
Start school
Wear patch 1 hour
Read your Bible
Bring incoming mail in

Zachary's Afternoon

Put clean clothes away

Zachary's Evening

Take a shower
Make sure shower curtain is closed before you leave the bathroom
Put dirty clothes into dirty laundry basket

Extra chores ... water plants & garden, weed, sweep patios & sidewalk, sweep garage

Noah's Responsibilities

Brush teeth
Wear glasses
Wear patch 1 hour

Julia's Responsibilities

Brush teeth
Wear Glasses


This is another way we stay organized (o:

We have a family file box in our kitchen that holds hanging folders. I have folders for each member of the Superfamily plus folders for address labels, stamps, magazines with gift ideas, etc. I also keep our family binder in the back (o:


Superkid Motivation

Motivation is key for my Superkids. One way we motivate is with money & you can read about that here (o: The second & easiest way to motivate ... with instant satisfaction ... a good old fashion prize grab (o:

I have a nice glass cookie jar filled with goodies I have bought at the dollar store or at the Christian book store. Stickers, lollipops, cool pencils, pens, post-its, erasers, highlighters, Hot Wheels (Noah's motivation) & anything else I can find that fits (o: When the Superkids take care of their responsibilities without any problems - they get a prize (o: If Super Noah wears his patch without removing it - he gets a prize (o: If Super Noah does his breathing treatments without a fuss - he gets a prize. All of the Superkids LOVE the Super Prize Jar (o:

I have totally caught Superdad sneaking prizes (o;