Chore Charts–Product Review 014

This time of year I’m thinking about what worked last year and what we might need to change for next year.  One thing that needs updating is my kids’ chore chart. As I look around the house, I’m seeing all kinds of things that my kids could do to make my life a little less complicated.   Because my husband has physical limitations, I end up having a pretty heavy load. I’m thinking it’s time to spread around some of those responsibilities between my five children, ages 15, 13, 10, 7, and 4.

In the Past: Job Wheel

The job chart that my family has been using for awhile now is a job wheel.  It looks something like this.  The instructions for using this particular wheel chart are here (just scroll down).

This type of job chart has worked really well for my older children–each child has the same cluster of jobs for two weeks, then we turn the wheel.  I saw a  new kind of wheel on the internet that looks like a great idea too. The instructions on how to use it are here.

Currently Trying: Chore Cards

One great technique for small children and toddlers was featured in Latterday Woman Magazine by Marie Ricks and Kammi Pyles.  It involves putting each chore on a color-coded card so your little ones know if the job needs to be done daily, weekly or monthly.

I’m currently trying this technique with my 4-year-old and for my 7-year-old, who I haven’t put on the job wheel yet because he has some development difficulties.  To learn how the system works, click on the magazine link and you can download the chore pictures from the article. Here are some more cute chore pictures.

Currently Trying: Chore Lists

I am trying something similar to this with my children right now. I have several friends that do lists that have a lot of success. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Other Resources

Looking around the internet, I’ve found some other ideas that appealed to me but I haven’t tried yet.  I especially like the ones that give  children variety in their jobs so they don’t end up doing the same one forever and hating it, but also allows them to have the chore long enough to get good at it.

Here’s a great idea of writing jobs on popscicle sticks that allows rotation and only requires one chore a day.

I found a list of jobs that are appropriate for children ages 18 months to 7 years.  Sometimes I’m not sure what to expect out of my little ones, so it’s nice to get some ideas.  I also like the idea of have a checklist for children to follow as they are doing a particular job.

Feedback

I would love to know what works for you.  Everyone has a different situation and different needs, but I love gettting new ideas so please share!

If you have any questions or comments, please email stephanie@houseoforder.com.

2 Responses to “Chore Charts–Product Review 014”

1. Marie Ricks says:

   January 21, 2012 at 10:57 am

   Hi — you asked for ideas for chores, so here’s what we’re doing… it sounds complicated but since it’s written clearly on a chart, it’s actually quite easy for us to follow.

   Here’s what we’re trying and it’s working well with my 3 teenage daughters and 10 year old son:

   The daily chores are in 4 groups:

   A– Help make dinner and clean up kitchen before we eat (so it’s not left a total mess) BUT if they make the whole dinner by themselves, they DON’T have to clean the whole kitchen before we eat

   B — Clean up kitchen after dinner

   C– Straighten up house (family rooms and bathroom and sweeping) OR cook something from scratch (I don’t mind doing the straightening if they’re making something good!)

   D– 30 minutes of music practice OR bake something from scratch (the younger 2 are still practicing music every day, so it’s like a “day off” of chores for them, and my older 2 are no longer doing music lessons and band so it’s a great way to get them practicing at least a little)

   Each person is on their assigned chore for 2 days, then we rotate. No one is assigned one of these four jobs on Saturdays; on Saturday we do our deeper-cleaning Saturday Jobs, plus anyone who didn’t finish (to mom’s approval–I initial the chart each day so we know who finished) one of their weeknight jobs is assigned a job on Saturday to make up for it. (i.e. “you weren’t here Tuesday night to clean the kitchen, so you can clean up the Saturday breakfast mess)

   It’s working well so far, and we’re enjoying LOTS of good baked treats and new main dishes made by the kiddos! I wanted my girls to have more practice in the kitchen, and they enjoy it because they feel like they’re “getting out of” another chore by cooking.

   Thanks for the helpful newsletters!
   Alicia Riley
   Niceville, Florida
2. Stephanie Kelley says:

   January 29, 2012 at 9:03 pm

   Alicia,
   That sounds like a great system for emphasizing what you want your girls and son to learn: cooking. I think it works because you incorporated incentives and accountability. Thanks for sharing that!