James has been doing SO MUCH BETTER since school started as far as listening to us (and his teachers) when we ask him to do something. And NOT do something. It's taken almost 3.5 years, but he's finally following directions on a somewhat consistent basis, and without needing to be told 517 times.
As a part of this awesome phenomenon, he has actually started helping to CLEAN UP HIS TOYS. I know, many of you have kids younger than James who do this regularly (or older, but who have been doing it for a long time), but this is brand new to us, and we LOVE it. See? I KNEW he could hear me...
Of course, since he is a child who can be bribed and threatened to produce results, the older he gets and the more into certain activities he gets, it's a lot easier to say "Go put all the books back on the shelf and THEN you can watch Ninjas" or "If you don't clean up your Legos before dinner, there will be no story tonight". Totally works!
Unfortunately, Cora has not reached this milestone yet. Sure, she'll help clean up (and has for about 6 months now - she likes to help Mama and Daddy do chores), but it has to be something she WANTS to do. And it has to be on her terms. No amount of bribery (or threat) can get her to move faster, stay focused, or do a more thorough job. Want evidence? After James got frustrated with Cora not helping him clean up the Legos tonight (and repeatedly taking them back OUT of that box he was putting them into), he fussed at her to clean up, and she promptly started cleaning up the Legos that were on the table (she tends to follow direction from her idolized big bro more than from her parents). From the table. (Climber, remember?) Oh well, at least she has good aim!
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