An afternoon of arts and crafts ... or how my children are acing business school (Blogtoberfest day 9)

Hello girls and boys. Welcome back to Business School for Shrewd Preschoolers. Today we will be continuing with the topic of delegation.

As you know children, successful delegation is the handing over of both the responsibility and authority for completing a particular task. Let's see how much you remember.

Let's say Argy and Bargy's mummy has set up a table of art and craft. There are some large sheets of paper that need to be drawn on. What should Argy and Bargy do after 10 minutes of polite scribbling?

That's right. They should say: "Mum can yooooou draw a picture? Can you? Can you?". This is rule #1: Delegate the whole task to one person.

Now what should they do next?

Correct; it is best if they say: "We want a picture of a teddy. Oh, go on. Please Mum. Pleeeeeeaaaase. In orange. And blue." This is rule #2: Clearly specify your preferred results.

And finally?

Very good, yes. Rule #3 is Don't hover; independence is important.

Once their mummy is fully engaged in the task, Argy and Bargy should clear off.

She should be left to draw quietly until such time that she realises that a pleasant afternoon of arts-and-crafts has turned into someone-drew-with-orange-crayon-on-their-bedroom-wall and how-did-the-cat's-drinking-water-end-up-on-your-brother.


Next week: Managing upwards - how to make your parents do what you want.

Brought to you as part of Tinniegirl's Blogtoberfest - a post a day in October.