putting them to work!
I like to keep a fairly orderly house. It doesn’t need to be spic and span, but shoes in the right place and purposeful piles is the sort of environment I like to create.
Obviously letting my kids have fun is important, but it’s when little messes are left that get me agitated. How do you raise children that aren’t surprised that laundry needs to be put away or they can help make lunch? You give them chores!
I knew this summer was going to be full of outdoor fun and a relaxed routine, but I needed to create some order with my 3 kids and my “more-home-during-the summer” teacher husband (although he is keeping busy with work!). I feel a bit outnumbered when I am scurrying around and the rest are kicking back.
Controlling? Nope! My almost 9 year old and 6 year old are at the ripe age of working and earning money!
I gave my system a week, and guess what? It’s working. I created a very simple chart with some pretty easy chores. A few of my goals was to create a natural summer routine, responsibility, and pride.
A few things that are emphasized:
* out of bed, dressed, breakfast, a.m. chores done by 9:00am.
* no computer, DVDs or TV until the afternoon (not a big deal, especially when the weather is nice).
* instead of my nagging, I created another chart. if the kids forget to put away their shoes, instead of me barking orders they need to check their chart to see if there are any marks. once they have “made right” they can scratch it out. if they don’t do it, they lose money at the end of the week.
* another detail of my chart is “bad attitude”, if they are being a sass or fighting with one another I just give them an X on their chart. if they get 5 in one day there are some major consequences. pretty nice when I am in public and I just mention an X- they straighten up!
I know some of this chart business may be nonsense for some of you- I don’t know how long it will last, I know we will always be changing it and making it work from week to week (that’s why keeping it simple is key), but I can say that I have not put away their laundry for 2 weeks and it’s great!
Oh, and another big thing is for them to learn how to manage money. They each have a set of 3 cans. You guessed it- they are all marked “give”, “spend”, and “save”. They have written down what they are saving for so that they are not obsessing over the possibilities (and I don’t have the majority of our conversations about when we are shopping!).
Hey- I have been enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts on chores, money, and family responsibilities! I have resisted paying my kids for their chores and that is why I only give them 10cents a chore…big spender, I know! Like I mentioned, my goal was to teach them pride and responsibility- they are getting it and thankfully the money thing is sort of a bonus and not a motivating factor.
So we decided we won’t do “allowance” but there is always a lot of extra work around the house that the kids can get paid to do, stuff that is over and beyond what we expect of them as family members. It has worked great, except that my seven year old decided that if he wants money he will just wait until he gets some in a birthday card… Ha! The give/save/spend concept is a great idea that we need to add to our system… Thanks for the tips!