August 13, 2012

Dishwasher Wars Solved

We have dishwasher problems.
Oh, the dishwasher works just fine.

The problem comes when it's time to unload it.

Me: Brookie, unload the dishwasher.
Brookie: But I did it last time.
Why do I always have to do it?

Or...
Me: Jakie, unload the dishwasher.
Jakie: But I did it last time.
Why do I always have to do it?

Or...
Me: Little boys, unload the dishwasher.
Little Boys: But we did it last time.
Why do we always have to do it?

Actually, Ezzie might say that.
But Jobie will just melt into a puddle on the floor.
Wailing about the unfairness of it all.
Can you say baby of the family?

Here's my solution.

I bought some little buttons on clearance after Valentine's Day.


I just knew I would need them someday.
And...they were only 49 cents.
For 8 of them.
Who doesn't love a bargain.

I cut out a circle from one of those freebie magnets.
(I'm sure it was a magnet advertising something very important.)
And glued it to the back of the button.

I let each kiddo pick out their button.
Jake-basketball
Ezra-football
Jobe-rocket
Brookelynn-butterfly

It's their turn to unload the dishwasher
when their magnet is on top.
Ezra and Jobe share the job for now.
It's Jake's turn today.

After they unload the dishwasher,
it's their responsibility to move their magnet to the bottom.
If they don't, they have get to unload it the next time, too.

Let me tell you.
This has revolutionized my life.
Well, maybe that's going a little too far.
But it really has made things easier.
I always know whose turn it is.
And if they argue.
All I have to do is point at the magnets.

I find it all very wonderful and amazing.

Brookie finds it all very childish.
Teenagers...

7 comments:

Danielle said...

LOVE this idea!! I'm totally doing the same thing at my house...because it's very cool. What do teenagers know?!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

You're a genius.

Leslie said...

brilliant!

beth in CO said...

You are a genius! I am a mom of four - the oldest being 14/boy. I have a lot of "yea buts", like, "Yea, but I just did that." Magnet idea is awesome!

Dawn Eshnaur said...

That makes me smile! Our big problem was who had to get in the shower first each night until......I labeled the calendar each night with one of their initials. I repeated the pattern for every day. Now there was no more arguing. The calendar doesn't lie :)

Amy said...

You are brilliant. But we all knew that already.
You forgot to mention though, that the system doesn't work as well when a cute little blonde in pigtails moves the magnets all around. :)

Dishwasher 2012 said...

I'm buying a house and adding a dishwasher. The only good space it will fit though is in an island across from the sink. Where do I tap in for the drain line? I can go through the floor as it's an open basement beneath. Do I run it down, under the floor and up into the sink drain?