Work Hard & Be Nice

I saw the best sign in the pediatrician's office - "Work Hard & Be Nice". It may sound trite at first, but when I stepped back to think about it, these two concepts are the backbone of everything I try to teach my kids. When I ask them to get themselves dressed, put their dishes in the sink, pick up their toys, those are the beginnings of learning hard work and not relying on anyone to do things for them. When they have to take a time out because they said something mean to the other, stole a toy or wouldn't share, that is a consequence of not being nice. Such a simple concept, but if everyone followed these straightforward "rules", imagine what that would look like? I know I am going to keep them in mind more often!