[kewlmom]

Never thought I'd feel this way, but I'm so frustrated.
Trying to get the kids to do the basics. I've tried everything from reward charts to taking away privileges, you name it! I've done it over the years.
They are 9 and 12 years old, and I still have to remind them to brush their teeth, eat breakfast, clean up after themselves. It's pure laziness.
I can't even sit and enjoy a little TV after dinner without having half my attention on them constantly .. making sure they're turning lights off when they leave the rooms, cleaning up after themselves, etc. It was all right when they were younger, but they know better now, and just chalk it up to being lazy - they admit that themselves.
In general they are very good kids, well behaved and caring.
But when it comes to doing the basics they just don't do it.
It has come to the point that on Saturdays, I don't do the fun stuff we usually do together. Because I don't feel it's right to reward them for not doing what is expected of them.
I'm so frustrated .. anyone know of any other techniques for ridding kids of laziness? I'm so frustrated that I recently told them that Daddy would be handling things from now on. We'll see what happens with that. But I don't like the current situation with not being able to do fun things with them. HALP!

[MissyChrissy]

Ugh-I can feel ya, I really do. I think it's more about where they're at developmentally than laziness though. Honestly, I do really believe my 14-year-old forgets to do stuff-even stuff that she has to do each and every single day.

I does get very old and tiring telling them the same stuff over and over. And I can absolutely relate to not being able to really watch a tv program-I don't think I've gotten "involved" in a movie in 14 years!-but I don't know of any other way. My kids have cell phones and cable tv in their bedrooms, and they do lose those privileges, but that doesn't seem to work much with the brushing hair/teeth, and pick up your clothes off the floor stuff. That only works with the big stuff like lying or being mouthy.

I have threatened to unscrew their light bulb in their bedroom if I found it left on again with no one in there. That warning works as a good reminder for a week or so, but it's not permanent. They just forget & need to be told again.