I Love This New Chore System

We started using Managers of Their Chores almost two weeks ago and so far, so good.  The kids were already doing chores but not always to the standard I wanted, and the house was not really organized.  I usually just looked around and saw what needed to be done and barked out orders to do it or got fed up with the state of the house and canceled school for the day to clean.  With this system, I was forced to sit down and figure out what really had to happen in a day and who was up to doing it.  Now everything that has to be done is done before little ones go to bed, and I have more time to get extra stuff done.  I also have more time to (gasp) rest in the evening. 


What's more, the kids are doing an average of two more chores a day than before, and most of them are loving it.  Tom Sawyer has never been much for chores and needs lots of training around doing his chores with a happy heart.  However, even he is stepping up to the plate and getting it done.  So what is so different about this system than others?  Well, I think one big mistake I was making was doing "sweeps" instead of the same list of chores.  Somehow nothing was ever completed.  Also, this program really helps the challenged housekeeper, like me, really break down the chores into smaller segments.  I used to tell my teen ~ "Go clean the kitchen,"  instead of breaking it down into separate jobs, such as, clean the stove and frig, fill the dishwasher, etc.  Breaking everything down has really helped all my kiddos do a better job.  The other thing I love is adding in some personal chores, like getting dressed and coming out of your room with a good attitude.  My Goldilocks' first card has a smiley face on it to reminder her that I expect a good attitude out of her.


That brings me to the chore cards.  Instead of the chores being posted somewhere, the kids wear their chores in little packets that clip onto their clothes.  Their chores are with them so that they can check and see what to do next.  This gives them excellent accountability and saves a lot of yelling up and down the stairs about what to do next.  My non-readers have picture cards that tell them what to do.  Also, I love how I can rotate the cards to meet each day's needs.  All the cards are numbered so they know the order to work through them, so I have a lot of cards with the number 6 on them.  That way I can rotate the six chores each day, and we get some of those weekly things taken care of.


There have been some problems, of course.  I had to rework the cards twice because of "traffic jams" or kids waiting for others to get something done so that they could do their particular chore.  Also, about 5 days into it, the work got a bit sloppy; and I had to go back and do a better job checking their chores.  Plus, Tom Sawyer doesn't like wearing his and has managed to lose it twice.  But because the house is so much more put together, I found it quickly.  Anyway, I am super-excited about this routine.  Hey, my dh asked me to make him a chore pack to wear around, too.  Can you believe it?!

The photos show Little Red Ridinghood and Goldilocks clearing the table, cleaning off plates and putting away dishes from the dishwasher.  You've got to love Tom Sawyer's attempt at a happy smile while doing laundry.  LOL




















Blessings, Dawn