| Author | |
*Lindsey*
Forum Pro
Joined: May 22 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 496
|
| Posted: July 31 2013 at 12:37pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
That's it.  I am wondering how you fit it into your day.
Oh, and how do you get/encourage your children to help...joyfully?
__________________
Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: July 31 2013 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This summer, we try and get most of the work done in the morning while it's cool and only play "keep up" for the rest of the day. Often dinner dishes wait until morning as well.. simply because we're so tired by the time it cools down enough to stand over a sink of hot water.
The joyfulness seems to come after they have figured out that they can't get out of the requirement. It's not optional. Then you can model the joyfulness yourself, the satisfaction of work well done, the "play" that can happen while we work.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: July 31 2013 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
*Sigh*. I need to go through another round of habit-training and housekeeping education, now that my two youngest are old enough to be really, really helpful. Nobody is ever all that joyful about chores (I wish!). And "reliable" would be nice, too . . . As I say, I'm seeing a new training season ahead of us soon, and planning to link that to the start of our school year, when my oldest-at-home will be home, and everyone can slot into assigned roles.
I am not a great housekeeper overall, which is probably why I'm also not a good trainer of my children in this area. Too many other things intervene in our day, and I'm a genius at time-wasting. At the same time, though, I like having a clean house. I like order. I hate for things to be out of control, as they so often are, mostly through my own sloth. So, what to do?
I have really liked the basic cleaning schedule from Clean Mama, where she lists one task for each day of the week. This I can manage, even though this week I haven't. I've just drawn up a chore chart for the three of my kids who'll be at home this year, so that every day someone is doing one of those chores, and everyone does everything in rotation. This works (theoretically -- chore charts have historically been failures in my house, but that's mostly my fault for not enforcing them) with kids who can all do all jobs with a degree of competency. Chiefly I'm assigning them to do basic chores upstairs, which is their domain, while I do the same chores down, with help from my husband and my college student, when she's home. It's a lot easier for me to maintain the common areas of the house than to stay on top of kids' rooms and bathroom upstairs. My aim is for us to run through our chore-a-day, plus basic bed-making and room-straightening, before we start our school day. Often, though, I do some chores while the kids are working on school.
I'm also assigning a rotation of kitchen chores before and after dinner: one person to set the table before and sweep after, one person to clear the table after and wipe down counters and stovetop, and one person to empty, refill, and run the dishwasher. Again, all three of my kids at home are capable of doing all these chores, which in a way makes things easier than having to juggle little kids' limitations against big kids' feeling overloaded and resentful.
I don't know if this helps you at all, but it's hugely on my mind. My oldest, who's 19, is very competent -- she could clean houses for a living if she had to. And my 9-year-old (also a girl) is quite good at a number of things: she's a champion ironer, and she's also good at dusting, table-setting, dishes, etc, though she's not always cheerful about being asked. My 15-year-old son . . . oy. My specific job with him this year, in terms of practical formation, is to help him learn to be neater and more organized. He's good at jobs when assigned them, but his day-to-day habits are . . . a challenge. And my 11-year-old son just wanders off, thinking of Star Wars. So "focus" is his challenge for the year.
Anyway, no advice, but I'll support you if you'll support me!
Sally
PS: Here's the cleaning schedule I mean: Daily Cleaning Tasks
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mrs. A
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 19 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 45
|
| Posted: July 31 2013 at 8:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've found that creating a basic schedule for the day really helps. I did it after I read A Mother's Rule of Life and just tried to live with it for awhile then adjusted as needed. I recently did this again after noticing that our routine had stopped working for us and I am seeing the benefits once more. I schedule chore times right in and each child knows what their task is. Yes, we get complaining and whining at first but if I stay consistent they learn that there's no other option and they begin to comply more readily.
During the week I do a load of laundry every day and keep up with basic tidying. Everyone has to make their own bed. Ds brings down his own laundry and dd1 wipes down the bathroom with a baby wipe. Everyone clears their own dishes and then one person has to wipe the table after each meal. I keep the dishes for myself since our sink is porcelain and our dishes are breakable, but if I do them after each meal they don't pile up too much and I can finish quickly. Saturdays are reserved for weekly chores like dusting, mopping etc. Everyone pitches in to help with those chores (which takes about an hour) and then they have their "movie day" while I menu plan and do kitchen prep work for the coming week, which cuts down on my cooking time during the week.
__________________
~ Lisa
Orthodox Christian mom to 5
My blog:Through the Mind to the Heart
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
DominaCaeli
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3711
|
| Posted: July 31 2013 at 11:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Not sure if you mean daily housework (like dishes, laundry, straightening up) or weekly work (like dusting, mopping).
Daily work gets done when it makes sense to do.
:: Laundry - The children do the laundry, so I start a load in the morning, and then they move and fold it in the afternoon, put it all away in the evening when we go up to the bedrooms. We do 1-2 loads a day.
:: Dishes - The kids set and clear the table, wipe down the table, and vacuum under the table after each meal. I wash up after each meal, run the dishwasher each evening after dinner, and then empty the dishwasher and put dishes away before I go to bed. I also wipe down all the kitchen surfaces at night.
:: Straightening up - The children tidy the house before nap, before dinner, and before bed. These are our natural break times.
:: Bathrooms - The kids or I do a wipe-down of all bathroom surfaces every couple days.
We do most of our weekly housework spread over Thursday and Friday. I used to be able to fit it into one day when I could work during naptime; now I reserve naptime for schooling the older two, so I usually strap the baby on my back and get to work while the kids are playing outside in the morning. I don't have that many weekly jobs, but they require two hands and a bit of time. The kids either work alongside me (if it's rainy out), or they do their stuff in the afternoon: vacuuming, mopping, dusting. If I don't get to something, I handle it on Saturday when my husband is home. That's also when I do monthly projects.
As for the joyful spirit...well, I'm not sure we're there yet.  They do comment how nice things look when they're finished (especially my 6yo and 4yo daughter), but I'm just pleased that they don't whine (too much) about chores. 
Hope that helps! I have tweaked my schedule every time we have a new baby, move, or make any other life change, so I'm always looking for new ways of handling it all!
__________________
Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
pumpkinmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1028
|
| Posted: Aug 01 2013 at 8:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
On a normal(good) day we do some right after breakfast. Not many if it is a school day, but some that make our day easier (clean kitchen, clean bathroom, laundry started). We do even quicker after lunch (kitchen again). And then we do the bulk in the afternoon after school is done. Screen time doesn't happen until the chores are done so that is my motivator for my boys. During school breaks and weekends we usually do everything in the morning. On a bad day I go around doing chores before bed so that we wake up to a clean house. This is days that we aren't home (and how does the house get dirty??) or some of us are gone that day or we had to rush off after dinner and dishes were left and/or got home after bedtime. I may do a quick pick up of the house and throw stuff into the boys room for them to put away in the morning.
__________________
Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Aug 01 2013 at 8:31am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Tidying and morning chores before and after breakfast.
A quick tidy after lunch.
A heavier house chore once/day - this may be completed any time of the day: morning, after lunch, after school lessons. (Focus on one aspect of home cleaning each day of the week.)
In addition, laundry is divided up during the week and the kids have laundry responsibilities.
I don't require my kids to be joyful about their chores. Goodness knows I don't like some of my chores! I figure there will always be "chores" they have to do that they don't really like - the key is to exercise the discipline to do them! When the kids are little, I help them exercise discipline. When the kids are bigger, they're expected to exercise self-discipline. If they don't, there is a natural consequence.
Our approach to chores here is that you don't have to like it, but you do have to do the chore as well as you are able, and be generally cheerful...which is to say: we do NOT tolerate complaining, grumbling or chore slacking!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
pumpkinmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1028
|
| Posted: Aug 01 2013 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mackfam wrote:
Tidying and morning chores before and after breakfast.
A quick tidy after lunch.
A heavier house chore once/day - this may be completed any time of the day: morning, after lunch, after school lessons. (Focus on one aspect of home cleaning each day of the week.)
In addition, laundry is divided up during the week and the kids have laundry responsibilities.
I don't require my kids to be joyful about their chores. Goodness knows I don't like some of my chores! I figure there will always be "chores" they have to do that they don't really like - the key is to exercise the discipline to do them! When the kids are little, I help them exercise discipline. When the kids are bigger, they're expected to exercise self-discipline. If they don't, there is a natural consequence.
Our approach to chores here is that you don't have to like it, but you do have to do the chore as well as you are able, and be generally cheerful...which is to say: we do NOT tolerate complaining, grumbling or chore slacking! |
|
|
What Jen said! 
I forgot that I copied a lot of what Jen does in our own house thanks to her posts on the forums and her blog.
Our approach is similar in the being cheerful about it department. Whining/complaining isn't allowed and I stop them if that happens. When we do get a project done I really thank them and tell them that their work is greatly appreciated and that their help makes me happy (and the Lord happy too) and bring up the fact that this is how a family should work together. I also say that I'm thankful and they should be thankful too that they are able to serve the family (and the Lord) in this way. I make a big deal out of it, but not so much that they start rolling their eyes. I think it changes their attitude if they had been grumbling inside and makes them less likely to complain the next day. I do say "this is how a family was meant to work together in the home" because most my boy's friends are not homeschooled and they hardly do any chores or help around the house. My boys sometimes feel they are getting the short end of the stick compared to friends. Then we make light of a friend and how they will react the first time as an adult when they are forced to do their own laundry, cook, or clean a bathroom. We have a good laugh and my boys know that they will benefit in the long run.
__________________
Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
*Lindsey*
Forum Pro
Joined: May 22 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 496
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This is extremely helpful! I have been concerned about how we will keep up when we begin school in a few weeks. (Have I mentioned that I am worried about going from teaching 2 to teaching 4?)
Can you share what aspects of home cleaning you do/what days? I know no one else's schedule will work perfectly for anyone else, but a starting point is helpful.
For example, I do 1-2 loads of laundry a day. Our kitchen floor is always, always, always dirty. It's the room you walk into off the mudroom/breezeway. It needs swept daily. I have  if I ask any of them to sweep the whole kitchen/dining room because it's too large. No one wants to sweep around the table because moving the chairs is "toooo haaarrd!"  I do still have them do it, sometimes dividing it between two kids, but the gnashing of the teeth from the 9 year old and teary drama from the almost 8 year old makes me crazy.
__________________
Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Aagot
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 06 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 649
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 3:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
How about letting them use a small vacuum on the kitchen floor. It might be more fun than a broom. Or maybe a swifter?
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
DominaCaeli
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3711
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 3:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
*Lindsey* wrote:
For example, I do 1-2 loads of laundry a day. Our kitchen floor is always, always, always dirty. It's the room you walk into off the mudroom/breezeway. It needs swept daily. I have if I ask any of them to sweep the whole kitchen/dining room because it's too large. No one wants to sweep around the table because moving the chairs is "toooo haaarrd!" I do still have them do it, sometimes dividing it between two kids, but the gnashing of the teeth from the 9 year old and teary drama from the almost 8 year old makes me crazy.
|
|
|
A few ideas:
:: I like the suggestion of a vacuum instead. We havethis one and I *love* it. It works great and is easy for the kids to use--very light and has decent suction.
:: We used to do a special teatime on Thursday afternoons after all the cleaning was done--a reward for our hard work.
:: If the kids are whining to that extent, I would definitely consider it a discipline issue. If the kids wanted to eat their breakfast, they must finish their pre-breakfast chores without whining, etc.
__________________
Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 4:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
*Lindsey* wrote:
| Can you share what aspects of home cleaning you do/what days? |
|
|
Focus days didn't work for us for a long time, but they definitely fit us better now. Before this, we just did quick tidies during the day and did our big house clean up on Saturday. But now doing one chore very well on one day works out super for us! Here's what we do:
(*Important note* The kids alternate weeks of being in charge of animals or kitchen duty - the big kid is in charge, the little kid is their apprentice. It behooves the big kid to train the little kid well so that the little kid can graduate and the big kid can move on! )
MONDAY:
** Kitchen kids do a deep clean of the kitchen, scrubbing sinks, counter, cooktop, polishing table, washing out trash can, clean out fridge, wipe fridge shelves.
** Animal kids clean and sweep out the garage and the barn, tidy the garden tools, groom the animals, wipe/sweep the animal areas, note animal food stock and any needs there.
** LAUNDRY: Mom, Dad, Baby, Diapers
TUESDAY:
** All kids: deep clean bedrooms and toy areas
** LAUNDRY: Girls
WEDNESDAY:
** Kitchen kids: Tidy downstairs
** Animal kids: Vacuum downstairs
** LAUNDRY: towels and sheets, baby, diapers
THURSDAY:
** Bathrooms (Each child is assigned a certain bathroom to clean. We have 4! sigh!!!)
** LAUNDRY: Boys
FRIDAY:
** All kids: tidy bedrooms upstairs
** Animal kids: Vacuum upstairs
** LAUNDRY: baby, diapers, and IRONING DAY (I have trained oldest dd to iron, am training the 12 yo now)
SATURDAY:
** HOME PROJECTS WITH DAD
** LAUNDRY: catch up day
_______________________________________________________
*Lindsey* wrote:
I have if I ask any of them to sweep the whole kitchen/dining room because it's too large. No one wants to sweep around the table because moving the chairs is "toooo haaarrd!" I do still have them do it, sometimes dividing it between two kids, but the gnashing of the teeth from the 9 year old and teary drama from the almost 8 year old makes me crazy.
|
|
|
There is a really, really easy way to fix this! Celeste already hit on it - this is a discipline issue!
Chores before meals.
Easy-peasy. No nonsense. No drama. Just the way it is!
No chore - no meal. Period.
Chore not done well - no meal. Period.
AND....make sure that you announce that the kitchen will only be open for a certain amount of time. In other words, the kitchen is open for breakfast from 7 - 8 am, with dishes time from 8 - 8:30. If you want to eat, you must complete your chores before the kitchen closes, otherwise you'll be waiting for lunch.
We have a pretty no-nonsense policy for tears and drama when it comes to chores here. If someone is reduced to tears at the sight of a broom then that tells me that the child needs more sleep...therefore...earlier bedtime by 30 minutes. No stomping on my part, no fighting, no yelling or raising of voice. It's a simple action = consequence.
If I have a habitual grumbler (and I have dealt with this kind of child, btw), I set up a chore jar and every time the child grumbles that tells me he needs more practice in learning how to serve...therefore...reach in and choose a little piece of paper which lists a chore service that must now be completed IN ADDITION TO normal chores. And, if the chore jar comes out, that means privilege blackout! No tv, ipod, ipad, friends over, pool time, etc...until all chores and service time is completed satisfactorily. (Let me know if you want a list of my chore jar *chores*!) One grumble, huff, attitude display = go to the chore jar. It eliminates me having to engage when there is attitude. I don't need to say anything any more...it's action = consequence.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 6:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
What age do you think the chore jar becomes appropriate, Jen? My third is a challenge in this regard, and he stil isn't quite five. I have pushed through this stage with number two, and chores have become much less of a battle around 7, but I attribute a lot of this to maturity, and his overall disposition is more cheery than ds3.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
CrunchyMom wrote:
What age do you think the chore jar becomes appropriate, Jen?
|
|
|
Any age.
I had an independent reader so I could write the chore on the paper and when the child was directed to the chore jar, he read the chore aloud to me. To adjust, you can write the simple chore on the paper and when you direct the child to the chore jar, have them reach in and choose a paper, then hand the paper immediately to you. You read it aloud to them.
When I had my child remove a chore and after he announced the chore, I used a magnet and put the paper on the fridge in a prominent spot. Only after I inspected the chore was the paper put back in the jar and privileges restored to the child.
The key is to make sure that:
** the chore fits the child (the child can complete the chore unassisted)
** all tools necessary to complete the chore are within the child's reach
** the chore should be outside the normal set of chores - think: scrub bathtub, clean windows...things like that.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 7:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'd love the list of "chore jar" chores.
I have the problem of a small house and lots of people so that I almost have too many kids for the jobs... I need to spend some time working on that. 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mrs. A
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 19 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 45
|
| Posted: Aug 02 2013 at 8:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mackfam wrote:
| (Let me know if you want a list of my chore jar *chores*!) |
|
|
I do, I do!
__________________
~ Lisa
Orthodox Christian mom to 5
My blog:Through the Mind to the Heart
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Aug 03 2013 at 8:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
These were the chore jar chores I came up with. They were specific to a particular child. This was my guideline:
Quote:
** the chore fits the child (the child can complete the chore unassisted)
** all tools necessary to complete the chore are within the child's reach
** the chore should be outside the normal set of chores - think: scrub bathtub, clean windows...things like that. |
|
|
So do brainstorm any chore jar chores in light of that...particularly if you're brainstorming for a younger child!
CHORES: (Y = Yellow paper, and designates a chore for an older child, B = Blue paper and designates a chore for a younger child)
*Y/B* CLEAN THE UPSTAIRS TOY AREA. COMPLETELY. BY YOURSELF.
*Y/B* USING WINDEX, CLEAN KITCHEN WINDOWS.
*Y/B* USING WINDEX, CLEAN LIVING ROOM WINDOWS.
*Y/B* USING WINDEX, CLEAN LEARNING ROOM WINDOWS.
*B* USING MRS. MEYERS, WIPE DOWN ALL CHAIRS AROUND TABLE - BACKS, BOTTOM, LEGS, EVERYTHING!
*Y/B* CLEAN UP THE ENTIRE DOWNSTAIRS AREA - ADJUST COUCH PILLOWS, PICK UP EVERYONE ELSE'S CLOTHES/TOYS/SHOES AND PUT AWAY.
*Y* CLEAN 1 TOILET (MOM'S CHOICE)
*Y/B* DUST AND POLISH ALL WOODEN LIVING ROOM FURNITURE (YOU MUST TIDY LIVING ROOM BEFORE DUSTING.
*Y* BACK LAWNMOWER AND TRACTOR OUT OUT OF BARN - WASH DOWN COMPLETELY.
*Y/B* WEED ONE VEGETABLE GARDEN BOX.
*Y/B* USING HOSE AND SCRUBBING BROOM, SPRAY DOWN FRONT PORCH AND CLEAN. (Note: We host barn swallows every year so the front porch benefits from having the birdie excrement sprayed away!! -- LOVE it when this chore is pulled!!)
*Y* CLEAN OUT THE CHICKEN PEN AND NESTING BOXES. ADD FRESH BEDDING.
*Y/B* FOLD ALL OF THE LAUNDRY COMING OUT OF THE DRYER - WHETHER IT'S YOURS OR NOT.
*Y/B* USING MURPHY'S OIL SOAP WIPES, HAND WIPE EVERY SINGLE STAIR (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TREADS). START AT THE TOP AND WORK YOUR WAY DOWN.
*Y* USING PITCHFORK, TURN COMPOST PILE.
*Y/B* EMPTY UTENSIL CADDY IN KITCHEN DRAWER (THE WHITE THING THAT HOLDS FORKS/SPOONS/KNIVES). HAND WASH AND RE-SORT ALL UTENSILS.
*Y/B* EMPTY TWO KITCHEN DRAWERS, WIPE DOWN DRAWERS INSIDE AND OUT AND RE-LOAD.
*Y/B* VACUUM INSIDE ANY LOWER KITCHEN CABINET AND THOROUGHLY INSIDE PANTRY AREA.
*Y* BREAK DOWN ALL CARDBOARD AWAITING BURN PILE OR DUMP RUN. (Note: I complete 80% of my home shopping needs online so we tend to accumulate a lot of cardboard from boxes shipped to us. We toss boxes on top of our big freezer/fridge in the garage where they await breaking down and burning or loading in the truck to go to the dump. This chore is meant to help get a handle on the cardboard. This chore requires use of a utility knife.)
*Y/B* SCRUB SINK AND FAUCET AREA. YOU MUST FIRST DO ALL DISHES IN SINK TO COMPLETE THIS TASK.
*Y/B* VACUUM HALL AND LIVING ROOM.
*Y/B* VACUUM KITCHEN
*Y* YOU (or ask a driver for help) BACK ALL VEHICLES OUT OF GARAGE. SWEEP OUT ENTIRE GARAGE. NOTHING SHOULD BE LEFT ON FLOOR OF GARAGE.
*Y* USING BABY WIPES, WIPE DOWN CEILING FAN BLADES IN LIVING ROOM AND LEARNING ROOM.
*Y* USING BABY WIPES, WIPE DOWN CEILING FAN BLADES IN ALL BEDROOMS.
*Y* SCRUB AND BLEACH OUTDOOR UTILITY/WORK SINK.
*Y/B* GATHER ALL ANIMAL FOOD CONTAINERS (THIS INCLUDES DOGS, CATS, RABBIT, CHICKENS) AND THOROUGHLY WASH IN UTILITY SINK.
*Y/B* GATHER ALL ANIMAL WATER CONTAINERS (THIS INCLUDES DOGS, CATS, RABBIT, CHICKENS) AND THOROUGHLY WASH IN UTILITY SINK. YOU MUST MAKE SURE WATER CONTAINERS ARE RINSED WELL!! IF YOU LEAVE SOAP IN A CONTAINER, YOU WILL EARN AN ADDITIONAL CHORE.
-------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps jump start some ideas for how you might use the chore jar!! It works well for me and really helps with some of the chores around the "edges" that you might not ordinarily assign as regular chores, but that could really benefit from a little attention!
A couple of other ideas for how to use the chore jar:
** Designate age appropriate chores by using different colors of paper. I use yellow squares for 12 yo+ chores, and blue squares for the 5-8 yo age range. The chores are written on the little square of paper and the paper is folded so that you can't read the chore and choose a preferred chore. The child reaches in and chooses randomly based on the color.
** Consider the chore jar for paying jobs. My kids are always asking to earn money....so I use the chore jar and suggest they choose three jobs. If completed well, Daddy and I pay them for their work.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
pumpkinmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1028
|
| Posted: Aug 03 2013 at 10:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have cleaning of kitchen cabinet and drawers at our chore "bag" chores. Our drawers for utensils are under the main food prep area and are always dirty with crumbs. It always needs to be clean but I don't have it as a regular chore (because it's a pain to do) so this works great. All of my bottom cabinets stay clean because of this too!
__________________
Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Aagot
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 06 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 649
|
| Posted: Aug 03 2013 at 8:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow Jen!
You are one professional mom! I think I can use each and every idea you listed. HUZZAH!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
*Lindsey*
Forum Pro
Joined: May 22 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 496
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2013 at 6:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yes, thank you so much Jen! I wish I could come spend a few days at your house.
__________________
Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: When does the housework get done?
