SOMETHING WORKS! +
Have you often wished your kids would do things to help around the house? Or, do you wish your spouse would notice when the kitchen trash is overflowing and take the bag out to the trash cart? Maybe you noticed that the dishes never get rinsed unless you make a big deal about it!
I just read an article which doesn’t put you “in charge” of creating a long list of “to dos.” The top 7 things on your important list may not get done by following this plan, but the 17 things you had to do to prepare for the top 7 might.
It is as simple as training your family to “see” things that should be done, and a timer set for them to do those things.
One mother found that her family didn’t see anything out of place when she first began the experiment. She asked one child to walk around the living room with her and scan the floor and other surfaces for things which should not be there. “What about those dirty pajamas?” “Where should soiled pajamas go?” The child answered, “In the hamper.” To which she replied, “Go ahead!” She encouraged everyone to look around and observe for 20 minutes (she set a timer). The goal was to observe and act. A few toys were put away. Some pillows were replaced on the couch. A board game was restored to its box. A few papers and candy wrappers found their way to the trash. And her husband SAW the kitchen trash was full and took it to the trash cart. The wife/mother put a new bag in the trash can and when the time was up, rewarded the family with ice cream.
It didn’t take long before the “See/do” timer was a regular part of every day after supper. One child saw that some dishes should be rinsed (not all of them were rinsed, but half were). One child saw that an end table had become the storage place for unfolded clothes, and she folded some. Amazingly, the work load became easier for the wife/mother and it became a 20 minute game every evening. Did all the dishes get rinsed? No! Did all the toys find their way to the toy box? No! Did all the pillows find their way to the sofa? Not usually. But in 20 minutes per person, the four person family got 80 minutes of work done. That was work which had overwhelmed the wife/mother. It was the reason she dreaded having visitors. So, about an hour after supper friends were now invited over on occasion. The kids welcomed friends. The parents welcomed friends. And no one suffered doing all the preparation and cleaning.
There was a strange result, too. As the family began “noticing” things out of place, there were things which were picked up, restored to their proper places, or thrown away even when there wasn’t a timer involved. In other words, the family became more wholesome. Dirty pajamas suddenly made it to the hamper and didn’t make it to the living room floor anymore. Scraps of paper made it to the trash receptacle instead of being thrown under the couch. There was less “family space” clutter. After a while, children were seeing stuff in their own bedrooms, the laundry room, and even the basement which needed to be put away or cleaned up. They never exceeded the 20 minute timer, but “seeing” made the tasks less complicated. When the timer sounded, the family came back together and were happier.
Where once there was general grouchiness, the evenings were pleasant. They talked together, played together, or watched TV together. During the day they might play on a GameBoy, but in the evenings they wanted something more social. They worked as a team and it made them feel good about being a team.
“NO INFLUENCERS”
There was a kerfuffle recently about such a sign.
First, a business has a right (according to the Supreme Court) to deny entry or service if they feel the person or persons wanting to enter do not intend to behave in a proper manner. They can deny entry by people not wearing shoes. They can deny entry to groups of teens without adults. They can insist no pictures be taken. Their business, their choice.
Second, anyone disobeying their rules can be asked to leave. They also can call the police and have the person or persons arrested for trespassing. Not great for business, but they have the right.
Third, it is within the rights of a business to deny the use of their building for anyone who is trying to sell products or promote an agenda (including politics).
You are not permitted to film or video people without their written permission. A store that allows such could be held liable for any misuse of such photography.
So, what is it that influencers do that puts them at odds with store owners? They video randomly. They use their video to “sell” their influence. They may not be dressed appropriately.
An influencer should not think it is legal to stand in a church sanctuary during a worship service and video him or herself saying or doing anything. It is not only rude, it is illegal.
You can have all the free speech you want on a public sidewalk, but not on anyone else’s property. There, only the owner has the right of free speech.
Thank goodness someone stood up to the insensitive louts.
The store owners should demand “rent” and set aside special “rental” hours for influencers. Minimum rental period = 1 hour. Cost per hour = $350. Two persons maximum. No nudity or foul language allowed.
“Influencing” without a rental contract? Kick ’em out!
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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