This Is The Way We Do Our Chores…

  

We have tried so many systems for chores in our home (most of them involving some sort of chart). The system that we currently use is very simple (once it is started). A while back I found a notepad at Target in the dollar section that had an entire week blocked out. It also had a convenient magnet on the back so that it hangs nicely on the front of my fridge. I LOVE the dollar section at Target (that’s where I got my grocery list notepad hanging at the bottom of this picture).

Since I have three children I tear off three pages. I write each child’s name at the top of their sheet. Then I just plug in different chores that need to be done around the house either that they like to do or that they are able to do. Some chores (like cleaning their bathroom counter and sink) need to be done almost daily. Others need to be done just a few times. Some chores I am teaching them to do properly so they will not be done each day (like emptying the dishwasher and putting the dishes away without breaking them ). We also like to assign at least one helper for the day. That child will help either my husband or myself do anything extra that needs to be done. For example, all of our children can get clothes out of the dryer, put clothes into the dryer, or fold clothes and put them away. We found out that it doesn’t work to put this down as a chore for us, so we just have the helpers do this on their helper days.

On Sundays we do not have time for chores while we are going to church  and having family time and resting, so we just have the kids help as needed. Usually this just means get clothes and backpacks ready for school the next day or take clothes out of the dryer or pick up 5 toys or something quick.
Again, as in the previous post, we want our children to be self-sufficient adults. I honestly did not know how to wash clothes until I was married; my husband taught me (no kidding!). I want my children to have that skill way before marriage.
Here is a list of the current chores that our kids do (a few are not on the charts):

• clean baseboards (with a damp cleaning rag)
• vacuum
• clean the bathroom sink and counter
• swish out the toilet (only our oldest daughter and only with gloves and “green” toilet cleaner)
• empty the dishwasher
• sweep bathrooms
• sweep kitchen
• clean the kitchen table
• wipe down kitchen counters
• empty the bathroom trash into the main trash can
• gather dirty laundry throughout the house and take to laundry room
• put clothes in the dryer and turn it on
• Our oldest daughter is learning to sort laundry and put it in the washer
• fold towels and put them away
• fold and hang up their clothes and put them away
• make their beds
• put groceries away after a trip to the store
• help their daddy do yard work
• water the two living plants that we still have in the house