Chore Update
I hope this doesn’t sound weird or make anyone frustrated, but I LOVE my kids’ chore time!
Routine
We have all gotten into a chore routine.
Right after dinner (with a few exceptions) we start our chores. Everybody cleans for about 15 minutes and it’s amazing how much can get done during this time.
Foundation
Now, I’m not going to lie, it’s taken quite a bit of work to get to this point. There has been a lot of instruction, this hasn’t happened by circumstance! I have worked very hard (and continue to do so) to teach and monitor my kids’ chores. It takes a lot of time, effort, patience, sanity, persistence, and praying to get to this point, but it is so worth it!
In the beginning, it is hard and very time consuming, but there are so many rewards!
Rewards
Not only having a cleaner house, there are also other rewards!
Everyone feels a since of accomplishment and responsibility.
As long as the kids are not doing a new chore, they can pretty much handle their chores on their own.
They automatically start on their chores after dinner, very rarely do we have to remind them.
It’s nice to see how much a team can accomplish in a short amount of time.
When teaching them new chores, it’s a great one on one, quality time experience.
I love watching my older children teach their younger sister how to do chores.
I love hearing the kids exclaim, “Yes, I did it!”
It is a great reason to compliment children for working so hard.
My oldest has even told me, “Mom, I love learning how to do new chores.” (Yes, that actually came out of my six year olds mouth, no lie!)
Not All Roses
Of course, we all have some bad days! Yes, there are times when the kids do not cooperate, bicker while doing chores, mope or whine about doing chores. To me, this is all a part of it. I use this time to compliment the most complaint child or to have an energy drain! 🙂
Compensation
There are so many different theories about chores and weather or not to “compensate” for doing chores. This is the system that we like to use
- each chore earns a ticket
- once a week, I go through their tickets, count them and take away 1/4 of them (because we are trying to teach them that you have to do chores as being a part of a family and to get them used to having income tax taken out of their earnings)
- each ticket lets them choose one thing out of the treasure box
Treasure Box
Things in the treasure box include:
- fun activity coupons
- balloons
- stickers
- tape
- quarters
- candy
I usually put our quarter change from using cash into the box. I ask for balloons or suckers every time I go to the bank. I put “fillers” from Walgreens transactions in there. If the kids go to the doctor and get a sticker and then I find it on the floor later, I pick it up and put it in the box. The possibilities are almost limitless.
Things I Like
I like how having my children do their chores, motivates me to do mine.
I like how the children see that sometimes I need them to do their chores first in order for me to do mine!
I like feeling that the upkeep of the house is not my sole responsibility.
Chores
18 month old: puts his dirty diapers in the diaper pail, helps pick up toys, throws things in the trash, helps me put clothes in the dryer
3 year old: wipes the table, wipes the gate, picks up toys, puts her clothes away, sorts the laundry, “Dustbusts” the floor, picks up her room, picks up the living room, cleans mirrors and storm door, wipes down cabinets, and walls, folds towels and is learning to clean the bathroom (per her request)
5 year old: all of the above, takes out the trash, cleans door knobs and light switches
6 year old: all of the above, learning how to fold clothes, learning how to clean the inside of a toilet, and learning how to load the dishwasher
Other blog posts on this topic:
What are your tips on having a smooth chore time at your house?
