To do list for the kids: Chores
Once, after my husband came back from the bank to deposit some checks, he wrote down on his list of things to do: "go to bank, deposit checks". Then, he put a check mark next to it.
There is great satisfaction to checking off items on a list. A to-do list keeps us on track and focused. Until recently, though, I haven't really employed a to-do list for the kids.
Now, I have to. I can't keep telling them to bring their markers/artwork/sweater upstairs or put their clothes away. Instead, these are items with check boxes next to them:
- put clothes in hamper or closet
- put activities in craft bucket
I make a new list every day, with three top things to do. Some of them are "project-like" (i.e., "write thank you cards for Christmas gifts") as opposed to everyday tasks ("put out clothes for next day" or "empty out lunch box"). There is gratification for the kids when they go to the list for the day and slowly check items off.
How do you handle the list of things to do for the kids? Do you have a master list in the main room? Do you just rattle off verbally what they need to do? Give them a list on a piece of paper? I am [always] looking for ways to keep the kids organized, keep them focused on things they need to do...
Wow, good timing on this post. Just this last week I got sick and tired of constantly rattling off things for the boys to do to get ready for school, bed, or just chores around the house. Repeating myself and feeling like no one was listening. So I made 2 lists: One list for getting ready for school and one list for daily chores.
Up until now, I wasn't sure that a list or chart would work for us. My oldest is just barely reading, so it never felt like anything he could take ownership of if he can't even read the items on the list. I know some people have picture lists, but frankly, that just seemed like another project for me.
So far, the lists are working well. I taped them to the wall in the laundry room and went through the steps with my older boy. He is now checking the list and reading the steps to the younger one. And today I didn't feel like I was barking orders all morning!
Posted by: Leah | January 10, 2011 at 09:24 AM
i've got two almost 5-years olds. one has great passion for order, the other is a serious devotee of chaos. the chaos lover is so motivated to avoid being told what to do - EVER - that she'll take care of things on her own when she knows what needs to happen. the order lover was making charts and graphs to represent all kinds of things long before she was interested in reading.
neither is actually reading yet, but i'm betting the right "to-do" list would be welcomed by both of them and save me a lot of repeating myself. thanks for reminding me that lists aren't just for grown ups.
Posted by: jojo | January 10, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Wow,great timing for us as well. Wondering what's too much or too little and how to enforce it. Bot kids just sort of melt when i mention chores. I think its time for us to do a chart too.
Posted by: jln | January 10, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Also, are chores an every day thing? Or every other day? Weekends? Other input would be great.
Posted by: jln | January 10, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Clipped to the board is the weekly job list, with places to check off. The list is placed inside a sheet protector so I don't have to print off the list each week. They check things off with a dry erase marker. Any jobs that aren't part of our regular routine are written at the bottom, and they erase them when they've been done. If they choose not to do one of their jobs, they have to pay someone to do it. Siblings are usually very happy to volunteer, and it really doesn't happen too often. Maybe 1-2x/week among the 4 kids. Keeps the peace, and they don't often need prompting other than to announce "Morning jobs!"
Posted by: alpidarkomama | January 10, 2011 at 11:48 AM
OOPS. I don't know what happened to the first sentence of the post! :) We keep clipboards on hooks on a wall, one for each kid...
Posted by: alpidarkomama | January 10, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I just sat down with my five and eight year old yesterday to make their chore lists. We had a nice discussion about what is personal care vs. a household contribution. They were both amenable to the lists as rattling off tasks has not worked well for us. My five year old checked off everything on her list before lunch. The eight year old went to be with one item not finished. The decision about whether to offer an allowance for chores is still being discussed. I got the chore charts at The Learning Palace.
Posted by: cc | January 10, 2011 at 01:09 PM
i also have been looking into this. I happened on the site goalforit or something like that. It makes very cute goal sheets/chore charts with pictures that can be printed out. I am not a list person, but I am trying to become one.
I haven't introduced it to my son yet, but I am hoping the love of stickers or checking a box will work!
Posted by: Trina | January 10, 2011 at 02:05 PM
I agree, a timely post. I have been doing nothing but barking about toys all over the house, coats and shoes laying on the living room floor etc. I'm going to try and implement the checklist and see how it goes!
Posted by: Heidi | January 10, 2011 at 02:29 PM
I grew up thinking my parents had kids just to do the shit they didn't want to do. I may have been right. :)
We have 4 kids and we do chores many ways...there are daily chores that rotate throughout the year - empty dishwasher& feed the pets. Must be done daily...
Either once or twice weekly, we have a quick list of house cleaning, either assigned by name or they can choose 2-3 chores: clean bathrooms, take out trash/recycling, bring down laundry, dust, etc. Bigger tasks. They're also responsible for cleaning their rooms once a week. They readily do these not for money, but as a part of the family that lives in the house.
There are also "pay for" jobs, i.e. raking the leaves, picking up dog poo, helping with the baby, etc. that are generally my jobs but that I'm willing to pay them for. The offer is there, but they can certainly accept or decline... a good option for when a certain someone is saving for an I-Touch.
The best advice I can give for chores is to invest the time in teaching the kids how to do the task well...practicing with them several times, pointing out what's well done and what could be improved. It's important to learn attention to detail and pride in a job well done, IMHO.
A long post, I know, and maybe not applicable for someone with little ones, but with 5-12 year olds, it makes sense for us.
Posted by: leslie | January 10, 2011 at 10:00 PM
I found a great "responsibility" chart from Melissa and Doug. It is magnetic and you can pick and choose from over 20 common tasks. We let our daughter put the "badges" after each one she has accomplished each night. It works for the most part. But we are still struggling with the getting dressed in the morning in time for school. I promised her I would be sending her to school in her pajamas tomorrow if she didnt do it herself before I was ready to walk out the door.
We have not started paying for those and I dont think we will. I dont know when or how yet on that one.
Posted by: Deb | January 11, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Our just turned five year-old loves to change her clothes many many times a day. When she was four we bought a closet "doubler" hanging rod and put all of her dresses on it. Her first "chore" was to hang up her dresses after she went on a fashion bender. Here's a link to the product, which we love love love! http://www.amazon.com/Lynk-Closet-Doubler-Double-White/dp/B000PHDO06/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1295330388&sr=1-4
She is also responsible for setting the table, which in our house amounts to putting out silverware and napkins. We've also been having her and her two and a half year-old sister bring the plates from the table to the sink after dinner.
My younger daughter goes to a babysitter a couple times a week and she has commented that my daughter is really good about cleaning up toys. She sings the clean up song while doing it. If only I could get her to be so cheerful about it when she is asked to clean up her toys at home!
I'm reluctant to tie chores to allowance since I think there will come a time when she'll refuse to do the chores and not care about the money. However, I think we may eventually make doing chores the way she earns screen time or special outtings etc. I'm getting excited about allowance; we just opened a bank account in her name and she was so proud about signing her name at the bank! We haven't started giving her an allowance yet, but the time is near.
Posted by: erin | January 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM