Chore Charts

I've been wanting to make these for a long time now... I have a lot of things like this, ideas in my head that rarely actually happen. This time I finally did it! Although I may change it in the future, it seems to be working for now. I adapted it to be able to change over time.

First I took some magnetic metal sheets and put ribbons through them. Then I scrapbooked some personalized stuff on them, glued the paper down to the metal, and covered it all with Modge Podge. Then I did the same with a board I got at a garage sale. Then I put metal hooks in the wood and hung the metal sheets from it. It seems to be quite sturdy (although very heavy). Then, I made a whole bunch of little magnets with chores written on them and glued to the back of some large one flat-sided marble thingy and glued a magnet to the back of that. I have since come to realize that I'm missing "Empty the Cat Litter", "Feed the Cat", and "Recycling." I'll do those eventually... until then I guess the cat has to go outside and starve.

Kaiah had been asking for months (because that's how long it took me from start to finish to get them done) if they could use them yet. She's really excited to have it finally done, as is Mason, who just likes to know what he should do without being asked.

The actual system is basically for the older two even though I made them for Bria and Locke as well. I found out that I needed a place to put all the extra stuff (washing knobs/switches, washing windows, sorting laundry, etc.) when they weren't actually going to be doing it that day. I put those things behind Lochlan's :) On the back is their "jurisdiction." I heard about this from the Duggars and a few other places who also heard from them, and basically it's an area for that person to be responsible tidying up quickly... good for unexpected company or the before meal, outing cleanup, bed time cleanup to keep things from getting out of control. There is also a daily section on the back that reminds them of things that they need to do every morning before/after breakfast... in case they forget to brush their teeth or make their beds.

 

Next, I took the time to teach them how to properly perform each task that they would be doing. They kind of grumbled at the bathrooms, laundry, and the dishes... They weren't thrilled to be doing this stuff on their own now!

After that, I sat down with them to figure out what they thought was a fair way to divide the chores. I had written out a long list. Some things are to be done daily: unloading and washing the dishes, setting the table, clearing the table, vacuuming, etc. Other things I add on the days I want them to complete them: sorting and putting away laundry, watering the plants, bathrooms, etc.

Then we talked about consequences for not completing them well, or complaining about doing them. They agreed that if they did those things, that it would be fair for the other person to choose one of their chores that day for the offender to complete. It totally worked! They have been working diligently without complaining. Love it! The little ones have some jobs to do too, but they still need constant direction. They'll get there someday! At least I have two helpers for now :)

I remember having the bathroom job all throughout my childhood and don't remember loving that, so I decided that with this system we can change out the magnets every week. Then the set list of jobs for the one person is switched the next week. This way they don't get too bored and they learn to do every job.

I have been helping a little when I feel like I don't have anything to do :) But this system has freed me up to do some of the "extras" that were falling between the cracks. Stuff like menu planning, potty training Lochlan, editing photos, planning field trips, and more craft things for the kids. I don't feel exhausted anymore. It's really been a blessing. And the kids can just check their charts without me having to remember who's supposed to do what and when. They move the magnets for the chore they completed to other side of the line (mostly to feel like they accomplished something and probably not at all that they forgot they did it.)

I wish I had started this earlier, but at least I did it before I truly went crazy. I'm sure I'll change it up in the future, but for now we have a more smoothly run household and the kids will be able to do their own laundry when they go to college :)