Choosing a Chore System that Works for Your Family Inside: Age Appropriate Chores {printable} We have always believed in the philosophy that children are a welcomed addition to our family. We love, eat, live, play and WORK together as a family unit. We also make messes faster than the chicken can cross the road to prove to the opossum it can be done. … Read More »
Chores Update About two years ago I tore a tendon in my right elbow. Of course, I am right handed, so this caused me to be at a huge disadvantage in life (due to pride). I am a “do it all myself” kind of gal by nature, so asking my family to pick up my slack was not on the top of my list. I had surgery to repair my arm last year, and about a week ago I had that “Super Mom” come over and help me reorganize chores. Enter my life today. On the chore card for today was “deep clean mom and dad’s bathroom”. I took the child with the chore into the bathroom and began to instruct him the proper way to clean. Since it had literally been over 2 years since I had done it, I was right there, up to my eyelids in Comet. Did you know that a bathroom gets really dirty in two years? Before you report me to the health department… While I have used those Lysol wipes to tidy things up each week (or more), and I have periodically scrubbed this that, it’s been a long time since the whole bathroom has been spotless. Whew! Why do I share this with you? Without those chore cards, this bathroom would have been neglected longer. The cards have become the authority, not mom. Interesting. The kids have total respect for the laminated chore card. They do not complain. Go figure. They simply read their card and complete the task. We began the new chore cards on Monday. (click here to read more) After 3 days the kids and I have deep cleaned the laundry room, the refrigerator, the oven, the microwave, the floors, the living room, the entry, one bedroom, all the ceiling fans, and the master bath. The kids have commented that they love the cards and they can feel the house getting cleaner each day. Amazing! I would invite you to rethink your chore-list (or team-player duties). Do an experiment. Organize the chores, divide them up, and laminate the cards. Take on a no-excuses attitude. If the chores are on the card, they get done. period. More on Chores.