Expectations

It often helps kids when we set clear expectations. That could mean expectations we have for what a household chore looks like, or helping a kid know what to expect on a new errand. The first time I took my kids to IKEA one of them said they were disappointed and thought it would be more like Tree House, our local toy store.

In fairness, nothing compares to Tree House, AND it’s impossible to explain IKEA to someone who has never been. But, understanding what behavior is appropriate for a certain setting is a helpful skill for adults and kids alike, so despite my utter failing with IKEA expectations, I came up with some general ideas for communicating expectations to kids.