Managing Chores

Well, I have started a new chore system with my kids and I had to share it.  It is actually working! I bought this book by Teri Maxwell called "Managers of Their Chores".  I'm using a version of what she recommends.  I would highly recommend the book, even though it is pricey (and a little preachy), but you can do her system without buying the book.

     Basically, this is how it works.  You make a list of all the chores/jobs that need to be done around your house on a daily, weekly, monthly schedule (the book does help you with this part, but you can brain storm or use another      Well, I have started a new chore system with my kids and I had to share it.  It is actually working! I bought this book by Teri Maxwell called "Managers of Their Chores".  I'm using a version of what she recommends.  I would highly recommend the book, even though it is pricey (and a little preachy), but you can do her system without buying the book.      Basically, this is how it works.  You make a list of all the chores/jobs that need to be done around your house on a daily, weekly, monthly schedule (the book does help you with this part, but you can brain storm or use another list online).  We have 10 daily chores that need to be done, about 40 weekly jobs and about 10 monthly jobs.  Then you buy a little clipper/holder for each child and each day you "divy" up the jobs.  Each child has their regular chores they do everyday, such as make bed, clean room, etc.  Then each of my children gets 2 daily jobs and 2 weekly jobs each day except Sunday.  On Saturday we do daily jobs plus the monthly jobs.  Of course, when we first started this I had to do training on most of the chores for the younger ones and even some of the jobs for the older ones.  The book recommends assigning the chores/jobs to each child that they do each day or week.  But, I like assigning the chores daily and my kids all get excited (well, the little ones do :o) about what "jobs" they have each day.  It keeps things exciting to mix it up a little.  One thing I also do different from the book is that I have a daily kitchen helper.  Each child knows what day of the week that they are kitchen helper.  Kitchen helper gets no other jobs for the day because they are the dishwasher unloader and loader.  They also help me prepare and serve each meal and set the table.  list online).  We have 10 daily chores that need to be done, about 40 weekly jobs and about 10 monthly jobs.  Then you buy a little clipper/holder for each child and each day you "divy" up the jobs.  Each child has their regular chores they do everyday, such as make bed, clean room, etc.  Then each of my children gets 2 daily jobs and 2 weekly jobs each day except Sunday.  On Saturday we do daily jobs plus the monthly jobs.  Of course, when we first started this I had to do training on most of the chores for the younger ones and even some of the jobs for the older ones.  The book recommends assigning the chores/jobs to each child that they do each day or week.  But, I like assigning the chores daily and my kids all get excited (well, the little ones do :o) about what "jobs" they have each day.  It keeps things exciting to mix it up a little.  One thing I also do different from the book is that I have a daily kitchen helper.  Each child knows what day of the week that they are kitchen helper.  Kitchen helper gets no other jobs for the day because they are the dishwasher unloader and loader.  They also help me prepare and serve each meal and set the table.  

     Below you can see a picture of how we hung up their holders for the jobs and how I assign them.  We've been doing this for about a month now and I feel that my children are working more with better attitudes and my house seems cleaner and straighter on a daily basis.  Hope this helps someone out there and if you live near me, you can borrow my book........happy cleaning!