Is it fall yet? But seriously I am 200% done with summer, and basically all of my mom friends agree. At this point I feel like Reese has eaten more popsicles and ice cream than any other food group and her behavior has adjusted accordingly.

One of my high hopes for this summer was to better train Reese to help around the house, because if you aren’t having kids specifically to get them to do stuff for you then what even is the point???

Reese can now retrieve a Diet Coke for me, stir wet or dry ingredients in a recipe, put away toys, let Glen Coco out, help take out the trash, throw things away, and bring in groceries. We’re still working on wiping things, learning the locations of toys and books, an entirely independent potty trip, and following a series of directions.

School starts in two weeks and I cannot wait for that structure. It feels like we have been butting heads for weeks now, so the few hours apart and a more firm daily schedule will do us so much good. AND my friend Tajia just started a company that makes my life even easier.

Oh Be Little makes scratch-off reward charts that you can customize to meet your own needs. Maybe you use it for potty training. Maybe it’s a countdown to a Disneyland trip. Maybe it’s for daily reading or chores.  Maybe it’s just going to be an exciting incentive to get your very independent threenager to help more willingly with daily requests and commands so you can retain your sanity after the most intense summer of your life.

We started ours yesterday – Reese got to scratch off a space when she helped me clean up a huge mess Loney made (dumping out a bag of confetti I was using to fill birthday bags). When we hit the different reward squares she’ll get those, whether they’re new books, ice cream, etc. I asked her what she wanted for the ~big reward when we finish the chart and she said princess play doh??? Idk but we’ll let her pick out something awesome.

I love the highly visual nature of this chart, and that there are rewards throughout. The kids won’t know which squares will earn them the mini-rewards so it stays exciting and allows for moms to be the good guy when we ask (demand) compliance. I’m really excited about this!!!

I love Tajia – we’ve worked together for years – and she is offering my friends a 50% off code! Use code DANICA50 at checkout for 50% off their $31.95 chart, and orders over $30 get free shipping. Get shoppin‘ to make this the easiest back-to-school season ever. That code is good until Friday at midnight, so take advantage of it and share with your mom friends who also need an easier way to bribe their kids. We all could use an extra arrow in the quiver.

Here’s to the popsicle detox we’re all dreading – may the pumpkin spice come swiftly.