The Dreaded 6 Letter Word

I'm always in awe of mothers with large families who seem to have it all together. You know the ones I'm talking about . . . . the kids are all dressed in clean clothes coordinated outfits, wearing socks AND shoes, hair brushed, teeth brushed, faces clean, marching around singing 'Do - A Deer' . . . just kidding . . . but you get the idea.

One thing that stands out with me is how their homes seem to operate like a well-oiled machine. The kids have assigned jobs around the house, the big ones help the little ones with certain things, etc. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out how these moms accomplish this, because, let's face it, I certainly don't have it all together.

One thing I forget to realize is that it takes time (lots of it), patience (even more of this), and consistency (I'm a slacker) to teach your children what is expected of them in the chore department.

CHORES. Aw, man!

I don't know about you, but that has to be my biggest battle around here. Nothing gets more grumbles, whining, and gnashing of teeth like hearing that six-letter word.

I've been on a mission for some time now trying to find a chore system that would work for my crew. We've tried chore charts with cute little pictures, check-lists, chore wheels that rotate weekly, and a bean bank system. We even tried  My Job Chart  for a little while. This is an online chore and reward system linked to Amazon where the kids can go in and choose prizes (that mom and dad have to pay for, of course) after they earn a set number of points for doing their chores every week. The kids enjoyed being able to go online and log their completed chores, but spent way too much time browsing Amazon for all the cool stuff they wanted. It was worse than Christmas.

I decided then that I don't agree with paying kids for doing everyday chores. I don't have a beef with anyone who pays their kids an allowance, and I'm not trying to convince anyone not to, it's just my preference.

I could see my kids starting to get hung up on the "I'm only doing it because I'm getting paid" mentality.

Nope. Not gonna fly around here.

We all live here together and everyone makes messes, so everyone has to do their part to help clean up those messes. Fair enough?

All of these different chore systems worked for a short while, but always fizzled out after about 2 weeks.

After more marathon chore system research, and in an attempt to help our summer days be full of other things besides TV, I finally came up with something that works for us. Now this is just the chore part of the system. We also have a Daily Must Do List (includes daily chores, school work, reading/writing time separate from school work) that has to be completed before they can earn TV or video game time.

DAILY CHORES

Todd – 15 min. room rescue/BR              Zack – 15 min. room rescue/BR

              Fold/Put Away Clothes                              Fold/Put Away Clothes

              Unload Dishwasher wks 1/3                      Unload Dishwasher wks 2/4

              Feed /Water Dogs/Cats wks 2/4              Feed/Water Dogs/Cats wks 1/3

              ROR – Kitchen                                            ROR - Bathroom  

    

Matt – 15 min. room rescue/BR              Lauren – 15 min. room rescue/BR

             Fold/Put Away Clothes                                  Fold/Put Away Clothes

             Reload Dishwasher wks 1/3                           Reload Dishwasher wks 2/4

             Feed/Water Chickens wks 2/4                      Feed/Water Chickens wks 1/3

             ROR – Family Room                                       ROR – Living Room

WEEKLY CHORES (ROR=Room of Requirement)

Todd – Kitchen (Help plan weekly menu/wipe down stove, cabinets, counters/sweep & mop)

Zack – Bathroom (Clean counter, sinks, & mirror/scrub tub & toilet/sweep/empty trash)

Matt – Family Room (Pick up trash & toys/straighten couch cushions/dust/vacuum)

Lauren – Living Room (Put away toys, etc./pick up trash/dust/vacuum/clean glass door)

FAMILY CHORES

Clean Up Kitchen/Dishes after Supper

LAUNDRY & SUPPER ASSIGNMENTS

Monday          Tuesday         Wednesday          Thursday              Friday          

       Todd                     Lauren                      Zack                              Matt                             Mom                   

Now, it might look like they have a ton to do and that I've worked myself out of a job. Trust me, they don't. And I haven't. All of my kids are still in the process of learning how to do their chores correctly, so that requires my (or dad's) help. I don't have to instruct the older two so much anymore, and the younger two . . . well, just don't look at their bedrooms, but we're getting better. Plus, I don't get blamed all the time if someone doesn't have clean pants!

Does this system work perfectly all of the time? No. Is my house spotless and dust free? Certainly not. Our house is well lived in. But this system does take off some of the pressure from thinking I have to do EVERYTHING.

My hope and prayer is that my kids will leave my home knowing how to cook, do laundry, take care of their own home, and clean a toilet. I'm confident my future daughters-in-law (and son-in-law) will thank me some day.