Working it Out

If you were on IG stories yesterday you saw all my old school chore cards we found while cleaning out junk drawers.  Living our best summer over here!!!  So many of you loved them & while I don't have those same files, I thought I'd whip some up for you...because, well, that's what friends are for right?

If you missed IG stories yesterday, I saved them in hi-lights under 'Mom Life' but here's a quick re-cap.  Before my kids could read, I wanted to have them get into the habit of a few morning chores, things like making their bed, brushing their teeth and getting dressed.  There were also a few other things they were capable of, but it got cumbersome trying to make them lists each day with my elementary hand-drawn pictures so they could remember what things said.  So I made picture chore carts.  Simply print them out, cut them out, then laminate each square.  Place a small hole punch in each corner and then clip them together with rings like this -- you'll be able to open and close them, so you can switch out a few of their daily chores.

On mine, I always kept make bed, brush teeth, get dressed & read 15 minutes, then I'd add 2 additional things that needed to be done that day.  On this free printable sheet I included all the jobs my toddlers started with.  My 6-year-old will tell you that cleaning the toilet is by far his favorite job, I'm happy to oblige him with an abundance of opportunity.

I also had a lot of questions about what other kinds of jobs i had my kids doing and before I answer that I'll tell you this.  I once read a study that indicated that kids that grew up doing daily chores fared better, were more successful comparatively to those that relied on extra-curricular activities.  So please don't misconstrue my intent.  I'm not here to tell you to work your kids to the bone, but I am here to encourage you to help them be successful adults...which as we all know, requires doing a lot of work, even when we don't want to.  I don't like to shelter my kids much from what reality actually is, because in all honesty, I think keeping a tidy house and yard is so satisfying and fun and my intent is to teach my kids to enjoy a good day filled with hard work.  They're capable of it & all these years in, I'm starting to see the fruits of my labor.

So with all that, here's a list of things my kids ages 6, 9 and 11 do around the house.

Vacuum Stairs
Dust Family Room
Vacuum -- my 6 year-old can't quite do this
Mow Lawns -- my oldest is the only one that can do this one so far...
Empty Shoe Basket
Empty All Trash Cans, Replace Liners
Wipe Down Banister
Mop Wood Floors
Wipe Down Kitchen Chairs
Pick up Backyard
Unload Dishwasher
Vacuum Wood Floors -- get this vacuum (the cordless one) and your 4-year-old will love this job!
Pick up Loft
Pick up Family Room
Clear Kitchen Table
Clear Kitchen Counters
Load Dishwasher

They do quite a few of these jobs every single day, ranging from 3-5 on top of their daily chores (get dressed, make bed, clean room, reading & practicing piano/guitar).

They've also started asking for paid jobs and these are the options if they want to go above and beyond.  For paid jobs, it has to be done right or I make them go back.  If I have to make them go back & re-do multiple times, I don't pay them as much because the point is for them to do it right the first time.  I pay about $2-$3 for each of these jobs, with the exception of cleaning the garage.  
Clean Blinds
Clean Front Porch, Sweep, Wipe Down Front Door 
Wipe Down all Doors & Handles
Wipe Baseboards w/ Baby Wipes
Organize 1 Kitchen Drawer 
Wipe Down Kitchen Cabinets 
Clean out and vacuum mom's car...again with this vacuum -- game changer I tell you.  They also have a $40 version at Target, so if this isn't in your price range, start there.  I used that $40 version for years! 
Change Sheets 
Clean Pool Tile 
Organize Garage & Sweep Out 
Fold 1 Basket of Laundry
Organize Linen Closet 
Organize Closet by Garage 
Babysit Luke 30 minutes ;) 
Do Dinner Dishes 

When you first begin making your kids help around the house, they will complain & they will do half-baked jobs.  As you are consistent in your requirements and consistent in your teaching them of a job well done, they'll get better at it.  While I've spent YEARS teaching my 3 olders, I still have days where I find a ton of stuff shoved under their bed, or dresser drawers all askew.  That's part of it.  Don't give up, don't get frustrated.  Some days I haul them all up to re-do things...and other days I don't fight the fight and sit by the pool with them instead.  Do what works for you & fingers crossed this helps you stay a little more organized!

If you print off & use your charts, be sure to tag me!  I love seeing them! @sonny_daily