Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this chore chart has been the BEST. I told you about it in January when we first started it. The downside to this type of chore chart is that it really only works this well if your kids are all really close in age, as mine are. But, if you had a "big kid group" and a "little kid group" amongst your children, you could just make two of them. The upsides are that it's sturdy (since I made it from strong cardstock and then laminated it), and also that it's continually in use with little maintenance from me... no need to print out new sticker charts each week; which I used to do but never with much consistency.
I took this new picture of it to show a little better how it works; the chores are on removable pie-shaped pieces, so that I can switch them out if I want to. I made a bunch of extra pie-shaped pieces when I started this, thinking that I would always be switching them out, but I rarely have. That's the beauty of this, the lack of effort that it takes on my part :) We have stuck with my eight "favorite" chores -- things I really want to get done around here, and the kids do them... not every single day but at least 4 days out of the week. I just say, "Okay kids, time to do your circle jobs!" and they go to the fridge where we keep it, rotate the inner circle so each kid has different jobs than the day before, and they know just what to do.
Keeping up on it regularly is great for obvious reasons, but the kids have figured out too that the more often these things are done, the easier they are each time. Less dog poop in the yard to be picked up, fewer crumbs on the floor to be swept, etc. When somebody is assigned a job that doesn't need to be done that day, like if the dishwasher doesn't need emptying, I'll have them do an alternate job like taking out all the bathroom trashes. I have a few "regular" alternate jobs for times like this, so none of it comes as a surprise to them.
The best thing about this has been its consistency. The kids have no questions about what is expected of them. Before there are any video games played, their "circle jobs" have to be done and their rooms clean (and piano practiced, for the older two). Noah, my oldest, thrives on consistency and schedule. When he was younger, suddenly informing him of chores that needed doing would send him into conniptions. Have this chore chart has really helped cut down on the whining about chores around here, and it's so much easier for everyone.
7 comments:
Go ahead...toot away...I love great ideas! :)
We are slowly working towards a chore chart over here. Brandon helped empty the dishwasher this weekend, which was a huge step for both of us. My issue is that whatever Brandon wants/needs to do or is able to do, Tyler thinks he wants/needs to do or is able to do, and I have a hard time explaining to him that 4 & 7 yrs old are actually very different!
Is that what it takes to get rid of conniptions? We had entirely too many last week.
Maybe that's what I need for Gabe! Conniptions are a regular occurrence around here!
We made one and let it fall off...or MOMMY let the effort fall off. I have started greeting them after school with a list of 3 chores to do...maybe I will go back to the circle chart. I don't know...I think simple and consistent are the keys...I just need to work on the consistent part!
I too think your ideas are great. We do something similar, but I have been needing "alternate jobs" and I think now I can make a list to keep on the side of the fridge for when needed. Thanks!
I found that Andrew does better if he has the same chore every morning and then I give him a rotating one too. My other kids can switch everyday.
Great idea. I learned the hard way that consistency is most important but you are so right! I am going t make a wheel like this.
Great idea. I found this post linked from here, it's a thread about motivating children doing their chores.
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