I have a tiny family right now, and my decisions involve how I spend my time. As a busy teacher and blogger, I have to decide to pass up opportunities sometimes to ensure that I can spend time with my little family. I find that sometimes the balance tips one way or another -- neglecting them or neglecting my work for a period, but then balances out again. I liked Kenmore on Facebook.

My family is just two of us - me and the kiddo. And, seeing as how he's only 4, I make a lot of the big decisions. He gets to help out with what he wears, what we eat for dinner, where we go, but the big ones are left up to just me. I like to share the smaller decisions with him, in hopes that they make him feel like his input is important and to possibly help him with decision-making skills in the future. Once he gets a bit older, I'll include him more. My biggest challenge right now is the decision to go to law school. It involves a move. I asked for his input, and he said I should go. I wish he knew all the consequences that will be involved. (I like Kenmore on Facebook)

I liked Kenmore. When we need to make decisions like what you described, I talk with my hubby, then sit down with the kids in random moments. For example, when I determined we needed more kid involvement in the house chores, I sat them down and wrote out a list of all the things we need to do to keep our house happy and running. Things like laundry and cooking food hit the list as well as cleaning and other such. Then we put a name by each item to show who was currently doing each task. They were stunned when their names only showed up next to "make bed." My name was everywhere else! They determined that it wasn't fair, and we divided the list up. I made a chart to show them what days they needed to do their cleaning, and away we went. Months later they are still helping, but it is only because they think it was their idea and not mine!

I liked Kenmore on Facebook. In my family, some rules are non-negotiable (no backtalk, for instance) but as my kids get older (11 and 16) we are allowing them more and more input and are finding we have to adjust frequently to allow for their new stages of independence. It's never easy!

Well, my husband and I together make the rules and we just have a toddler now and baby on the way so no kids are giving input yet. I think that family dinners and no tv at night is a great way to spend time together as a family and see what "rules" work best for us. I already "Like" Kenmore on Facebook.

One of the things I have lightened up on recently is my boys planning their time for some projects with school. I homeschool them and I used to say this is due such and such a day. Then plan out the steps for them and what they had to do each day to get that accomplished. I would then be on them each day and see if they were completing the steps. Recently I have told them the due date and allowed them more freedom to succeed or fail in planning out their time. Oh, my boys are 14 and 16 years old and in 8th and 11th grades. For instance, both boys had essays due on a Friday in 2 weeks. I usually tell them how much they should have done each day to get the paper done by the due date. This time I let them plan their time only reminding them every other day or so by saying did you work on your essay? It is due next Friday you know. They both put off the essay until the day it was due and then wanted me to extend the due date... NOPE!! Get it done today or no computer! I am not sure how much it taught them but I am hopeful that a few more times of doing this and they will begin to make better choices for themselves instead of having things so strictly enforced by me. They need to take more responsibility for their education and how they spend their time. This is one of the decisions we are challenged with and how I am trying to handle it so far. (I "liked" Kenmore on Facebook)

I like Kenmore on FB Im my family our biggest challenge is my youngest daughter she has ADHD, figuring out consequences for her and deciding if her actions are ADHD related or just not listening to our rules. It is a struggle sometimes.

I like Kenmore on Facebook. We actively try to incorporate our budding 3 year old in rules for the house. He is always aware of the options related to not following family rules and makes the choice he is most willing to go with.

I liked Kenmore on Facebook. With a toddler and an infant I still make many of the decisions in the house. Right now we offer him options for simple things like food choices and clothing. I think its important to allow your children to be involved in family decisions and as they grow we will offer more chances to have a say.