O.k., so now that summer is here & all 4 of my kiddos are home + my niece & nephew during the week, I'm having a hard time handing out chores. I would like to start a "chore chart", but I'm kinda at a loss as to how to go about it. So, for all you mamas out there that do this, could you give me some advice? What's worked best for you, how you display it, & what kind of rewards do you give out? My kiddos are 12, 10, 7, & 5. And my nephew is 3 1/2, but my niece is just a baby. Thanks so much in advance!
I love chorebuster.com! It will help you divide up chores according to age, etc.
When I done my chore list i offered an weekly allowance that had to be earned by doing daily chores, each chore was worth a certain amount and if not completed they didn't earn their allowance for that day. Pay out was once a week-I would mark off on the calendar for that day if the chore had been done.
I also implemented a fee chart (if I had to clean up or pick up something behind them) I charge them a fee for that. Which of course reduced or eliminated their allowance and they had a running tab for the month. Payment due at the beginning of the each month
This was for a 10, 14, 15, and 12 year old and my 20 year old nephew-son :)
This worked pretty well especially knowing they would be losing money.
Vacuuming was a daily requirement
Cleaning the bathtub after each bath (mandatory)
Cleaning the entire bathroom at a minimum 2x a week
Wash used dishes immediately after use (mandatory) everyone
Regular kitchen duty assigned alternating days
They each had their own laundry day
Rooms cleaned and vacuum daily requirement
Dusting at least once week
There is a basic chore chart that is reusable each week that you can purchase at TeachMart. There are also some that come in pad form.You can also make your own using Word or Excel.
Awards with little kids are generally easier than older kids. You can do $5 gift cards, "dollars", play money that can be spent in "mommy's store" at "mommy's prices", pencils, games, snacks, having a friend over, etc. I think prizes should be those little things that you know your kids like but don't get often.
With my children, my oldest two (13 and 9) have daily regular chores...cleaning the kitchen, clearing the table after meals, cleaning their bathroom 2-3 times a week, taking the trash out, keeping their rooms cean, making their beds, etc.
My younger children (5 and 6) have simple chores. They have to do things like clean their rooms and make their beds but of course they don't do it perfectly but I just want them to get in the habit of doing it. We'll work on getting it right later.
Hope this helps...
This works really well for our family:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Magnetic-Respon...
We have a 5 year old and 3 year old. They love to help out and get a "sticker" each time they do their chores.
I set up a chart for my almost 10 year old in Excel. She has chores on a daily basis that are listed, including a daily "misc" chore in case I need her help with something small that's not on her list. Once she completes the chores for the day, she initials the chart, then my husband and I check to make sure it's done, then initial it ourself. She is very aware that she is not to have friends over, leave the house, nor turn on the TV without completing her chores each day. At the end of the week, if the entire chart is initialed, she get's a $5 allowance (which will probably be raised in the fall for more responsibility). If she misses one chore, she gets $1 deducted. If she misses more than one, she doesn't get any allowance at all, but is still expected to complete the list. This ensures that she doesn't have a lazy day and decide it's worth the $1 deduction to skip a chore and go play instead! She's only had 1-2 weeks where she didn't complete her list.
Then, once a month, I take her to the shopping establishment of her choice and let her spend half of her allowance, while she saves the other half in her savings account. She also has the opportunity to earn extra money throughout the month by doing extra chores that aren't on her list and she typically takes us up on those because she loves to shop!
It's worked out great for us and you would be amazed at how much more responsible they become, and how much time it actually does save you each week by letting them do the "small things" like clearing the table, emptying the trash throughout the house, putting away laundry, etc.
I set up a list of names and a chore spinner - numbered 1 through 5, I had to take a spin too. Even the baby can "do chores" if she can sit up. She can put toys into a pile / bucket.
I love the book "101 ways to get your children to work at home".
S.
