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Do your kids do simple chores? Like a set chore list? Every single day?
Mine do not. Eek!
I mean, they do things when I ask them to–
and mostly without argument–but there is not a set list of things that are expected out of them–and only them.
Part of me thinks it would be such a pain–just another thing for me to have to check up on and make sure it gets done. Another opportunity for my voice to go up 3 octaves from using my fake-nice voice when I tell the kids to do something they don’t want to.
I cannot be the only one whose voice changes on a daily basis, right?! Oh heavens, I’m in trouble!
But guess what–the bigger part of me knows how necessary it is for my kids to have daily responsibilities around the house. And I’m not talking about doing these chores for money–haha–oh no–this is free labor.
The price of living their awesome life in this awesome family!
Yeah, so, this has been on my summer to-do list and I’m finally getting around to it. I’d like to teach the kids how to do their chores and to do them with a happy/willing heart before school starts. Especially my oldest son since he’ll be homeschooled this year and will have a lot more free time during the school year compared to years past.
And of course–whatever big brother does–little brothers want to do too. So I will take their willingness and direct it towards some simple daily tasks for them as well.
The “Martha” in me wanted to run to Pinterest and find the cutest chore charts and get all wrapped up in the craftiness of it all. After all, I have a whole Pinterest board devoted to kids & chores. Gah! I seriously had to channel my inner-Mary in order to just keep it simple. Yep.
I’m keeping it simple because if I don’t–we just won’t stick to it.
So here it is–first there are daily things they need to do (they mostly do them now, anyway, so these won’t be a shock) and then the weekly chores–which they have done at least once already. The hard part for me will be keeping a certain task on its certain day. But that’s probably not THAT important anyway. However, the kids will probably enjoy doing these chores at first because as I already confessed–I am kinda the problem here–not the kids! Haha.
Ethan (age 7):
Daily Tasks:
- Brush/floss teeth
- Make bed
- Let chickens out/check their food/collect eggs (we only have 2 chickens, so this isn’t a huge task)
- Clear the driveway of toys before bedtime.
Weekly Chores:
Monday:
- Bring up trash cans from road
- Get the mail
- Collect all the shoes from around the house and put in baskets
- Empty bathroom trash
Tuesday:
- Clean up/vacuum under dining room table
- Clean up/vacuum living room
Wednesday:
- Sweep off front porch and sidewalk
- Pull weeds (fill a bucket)
Thursday:
- Spray and wipe out all 3 bathroom sinks and counters
- Clean 3 bathroom mirrors
Friday:
- Clean bedroom (clearly define what that means)
- Vacuum bedroom
- Organize school desk and papers
Grant (age 4) and Joseph (age 3):
Daily Tasks:
- Pick up all the toys from the living room and return them to proper bins
- Make bed (which basically means making sure pillows and blankets are off the floor and blanket is pulled up)
- Brush/floss teeth (with help)
- Help Ethan clear the driveway before bed
Weekly Chores:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday:
- Return basement toys back to proper bins
- Put away wash cloths and hand towels from laundry
- Match socks and put away
- Collect dirty clothes and put in laundry room
Tuesday/Thursday:
- Take cardboard to burn barrel
- Change Stella’s blanket in her crate
- Wipe down toilets with Clorox wipes
I’m pretty happy with this list–I think it provides a totally “do-able” starting point for the boys and for myself as well. Could I do more–yes of course–and I probably will as time goes on; but for now, this is enough. These simple chores are enough.
Any tips on keeping up with the kids chores and helping them to maintain a happy heart? I’ll take all the advice I can get!
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We give me 2.5 year old a chore every day. Picking up toys, taking plates to sink, etc. She does a LOT. And it’s so time consuming to teach, BUT it pays off in the long run for sure!
Yes, I agree! It always takes more time to have them do it and I am guilty of taking over for them when I’m in a hurry. It’s something I’m really working on though. I think having a list of things they are responsible for will also help me to NOT do it.
Wow Ally, this is a great post. My baby is just six months and unfortunately can do no chores lol. Will keep my fingers crossed until his time is up. Thanks for sharing.
There is a difference between chores and personal responsibilities. Be careful to not get the 2 confused. http://themommaven.com/2015/02/chores-vs-responsibilities/
Thanks for posting the link–you are so right about keeping the 2 separated. Eventually when they are old enough to earn an allowance by doing extra “chores” then I will be sure to make more of a distinction.
and simple chores – maybe even for adults too 😀
I’m like you- I have trouble keeping up with chore charts and remembering to have my kids do their “thang.” These seem totally doable given the ages of your kids. Kudos for making the little boys clean the toilets. At their ages they are probably the ones making it dirty anyway 🙂
Yes! Little boys are so yucky in the bathroom! Haha…I keep Clorox wipes on the back of the toilet just for them!
Looks like a good doable list. By writing everything down, they know what is expected of them and you know who is to do what on which day.
Kids do need chores. You are headed the right way by not making it detailed. Sometimes you just need to stop and not be pressured by others because you are their mother and know what is best — what is enough. Sounds like you’re a good mother!
Thanks 🙂
I love this! Baby boy is only 10 months old right now so he can’t do much of anything! But I really want to train him to take responsibility at a young age! This gives me a good guideline!
Very doable lists! And I love how you recognize the “Martha” in your actions and slow down to bring out more “Mary”…I am going to start doing this!!
We’ve only just started getting serious about chores. I find that a sticker reward chart helps keep my girls motivated. (That, and the promise of TV time.)
yes–it’s always the TV time that works here!
Love, love this! I love how you broke it down and give examples of age appropriate chores! This summer I decided at 5, 7 & 9 that they were ready, really ready to learn some house chores!! It’s going great!!
Cathy
We kept it real easy. they had to take care of themselves AND their room. My son had the dishes/kitchen and my daughter had the clothes and sweeping. We taught them both how to do everything of course.
Those are great lists. I started a set chore list with my older kids just a year ago when new baby came, and it’s been a great learning experience for all of us. We’ve made some tweaks over the months, but over all we are all happy. We discussed that this is our home and we all need to show it some love and our chores do just that.
Now if only they could get the hang of actually cleaning a toilet…. maybe it’s a boy thing?
Marissa