Today on her blog, The Nester featured some ways she had simplified life for her family. As I was commenting, I realized it’s been awhile since I’ve shared any tips for “This Is How We Do It - Vitafam style.” You people know I’m all about simplification. If it makes life easier, we do it.
For example, each of my kids has their own Camelbak thermos. There’s a different color for every kid. They are responsible for their own cup. Before we sit down for a meal, I will remind them, go fill up your cups. Sometimes I have to help the younger ones unscrew their lids, but even Ellen is capable of filling up her own cup. (I’m not saying we don’t have our share of spills, but the kids also know how to go to the closet, get a towel, and clean up their own mess.)
If we sit down to eat and one of the children does not have their cup, then they go without. When I say these things are their responsibility, I mean it. Now, of course, if I’m up again and walk past their cup I will gladly serve them. And it’s not to say I won’t help them look for it if it’s lost. But the children understand (because I’ve repeated it 8000 times) that it is not my job to keep up with their cups. If they can’t find it or forget to fill it, they can drink when they are excused from the table.
These cups are also handy when we actually, you know, leave the house. If we go to someone’s house, we’ve got an easy way to keep up with everyone’s drinks and avoid spilling something on someone else’s carpet. (Camelbaks don’t spill, although they do leak if your kids chew holes in their lid. Ask me how I know.)
If we go to a restaurant of the nicer variety that doesn’t cater to kids (SNORT. Why would we ever do that?) we bring their cups along. No embarrassing spills and Andrew and I don’t have to dole out 50 straws. (Andrew very sweetly cuts the straws down to size when we do get the kids cups. Isn’t he the best?)
When I went to take a picture of these cups to show you, I walked over to the kitchen table, where the Camelbaks normally reside. At any given moment there are usually 4 or 5 on the table. But I only found one. I located two more in random areas of the downstairs. I haven’t got any idea where the others are. And you know what? That’s okay. That isn’t my job. They’ll turn up when somebody gets thirsty…
Want more tips? Go to WFMW at Kristen’s blog.
1.20.2010
Hmmm, I think I might look into buying my little guy a Camelbak. And this being the Portland area, you can’t throw a rock without it hitting a store that sells BPA free water bottles : )
1.20.2010
I like this idea. At what age do you start letting them be in charge?
1.20.2010
My kids are older, but we all use water bottles. Finally quit buying water in the store!
1.20.2010
Heather - My almost three year old can fill her cup, but she has her older siblings to model it for her. She’s been able to identify and keep up with her cup for a year. She’s only just now learned to fill it. We got these cups about a year and a half ago and my kids have handled it fine. So I guess they were four when we started it. I think they could have handled it earlier.
1.20.2010
I’ve been thinking about doing this at our house - where did you get yours?
1.20.2010
Ahh you say spill proof but give one to my son and he’ll find a way to put the entire contents of the cup on your floor… or couch… yep. Nothing is spill proof in our house.
1.20.2010
Jenny - Which is exactly why my kids only drink water.
1.20.2010
Catherine- I got ours at a sporting good store.
1.20.2010
Great minds think alike. I was planning on posting about our cup management system today for WFMW, but had something else come up.
1.20.2010
Totally agree, you sold me on these things months ago and it’s been wonderful. The only problem is now the website has taught me there are super cute new styles and I am fighting the urge to buy new ones! This idea TOTALLY works, you rock mommy!
1.20.2010
We do similar in assigning cup style to a certain kid.
1.21.2010
We did this over the summer. It is a fabulous thing! Why have I let it go? Instead I’m washing a million water cups again and when we do leave the house it’s constantly asking “Where’s your water bottle????” Thanks for the inspiration to return to my - OUR - water bottle ways!
1.22.2010
love camelbaks! mine got left on the last plane we flew on =( (we only had 40 other bags, or so it seemed, to keep track of =)) I’ve been waiting for months to get a new one and one for each of us too! Soon!
1.22.2010
My little ones (and me) have Camelbak bottles, too. They are great! I try to make sure they are washed every night so we can use them daily. My two are still a little young to fill their own (or maybe that’s my OCD), but we’ll definitely work our way that direction.
8.19.2010
Hi - do you use the kid size (12 oz.) or the larger ones (24 oz.) - ever see these on sale? I would need to get 5, maybe 7 if I got one for my husband and myself!
Thanks for the idea (from the TOG emails)