Next is that as the children age, give them more responsibility in all aspects of home life!!!!! Two reasons.
First, everything should not be your and your partners responsibility. Full stop. The kids live, eat and relax at home. Write an extensive list of everything that has to be done to run and maintain the house and family: Cleaning, shopping, cooking, gardening, homework help, driving, sports, sickness, etc.
Using this list, separate out the things that only an adult can do. Then as your children age, add more responsibilities onto their shoulders.
Secondly, not only does it give you more balance, it helps them mature, take responsibility and learn. When your child goes out flatting - you do want them to know how to cook. How to do their laundry. How to keep a kitchen sanitary, don't you. Although them knowing and doing it for themselves is another matter, tee hee hee.
A good idea is to write these on a list and post it on the refrigerator. It's good to rotate the jobs between the children as all jobs won't be equally demanding. We've developed a great rotating job chart from when the kids were younger that you're welcome to download at www.successis.co.nz/jobs.htm
Extra Tip: Allocate a role called 'extra jobs'. This person will cover the chores of someone who is not home.
Written by Debbie Mayo-Smith, One of New Zealand's most in-demand speakers, trainers and bestselling authors. Debbie works with companies that want more effective staff. For more tips and business ideas sign up for her free monthly newsletter.