Do you ever feel like all you do is wash dishes, load the dishwasher, and put away dishes? In the summer months and during the holiday times I feel like I wash dishes, and wash dishes some more. I loathe washing dishes. Its one of those things that I wish I could have a magical Genie that appears to make it go away! This hatred of dish washing lead me to explore ways to not have as many dishes.
I noticed my kids where getting a new cup every time they drank something. Each one of my kids can easily use 6-8 cups a day. I have 3 kids that is a full sink full of dishes every day just from drinking cups. That lead me to invest in a roll of masking tape and a Sharpie. That $10.00 initial investment has saved me water, and soap from not having to wash those cups daily. Plus, most important my time!
Every morning I write each child’s name, and the date on a cup. The date to make sure they are using a fresh cup every day. If they drink something besides water they know they have to rinse it out. My littlest Nico has to ask me to help him rinse it out. The older kids already know to do this. Then it sits on the counter all day ready to be reused.