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JLP’s Kids and Household Chores Experiment
By JLP | February 18, 2009
My wife just came off a plant turnaround. For those of you not familiar with a turnaround, it’s when a plant shuts everything down to do maintenance. Naturally, when the plant is down, they aren’t making product, which means they aren’t making money. In other words, they want it back up and running as soon as is safely possible. Bottom line: my wife worked LOTS OF HOURS. L-O-T-S!
While she was working, the house pretty much became a hellhole. It was a disaster. Why? Well for one, I’m kinda lazy. The second reason was that we didn’t have a plan for who does what. Sure, my boys have had chores that they are supposed to do but the timing of those chores was kind of vague.
We needed a plan.
So, this past weekend, I put one together, showed it to my wife, and instituted it. The boys were griping and complaining at first but the results have been wonderful so far (yes, it’s only been day 3 but I like what I’m seeing so far). The plan is still a work in progress but so far, so good.
The first part of the plan was to simply make a schedule for when things should get done. It looks like this:
The second part is their daily chores:
When I presented this to the boys they didn’t like it because they thought it would take up too much of their time. But, what we have found is that they actually have MORE time because they’re not wasting time. They also like it because there are no surprises. And, since they have their chores, I’m not asking them to do other stuff.
Yesterday morning I was getting my shower and I heard the vacuum cleaner going (and I didn’t have to tell anyone to do it). My son did scold me because the schedule said that it should only take 10 minutes to vacuum but it took him longer. I told him to vacuum faster…lol.
The goal of all this is to have some sort of balance in our household. Our typical routine is to mess the house up all week long and clean it on the weekends. That sucks. Who wants to spend the weekend cleaning? Not I! If this plan works, spending the weekend cleaning will be a thing of the past.
Let’s hope it works…
Topics: How to..., Kids and Money | 12 Comments »
February 18th, 2009 at 11:44 am
The charts and specific details are a good idea.
My nephew was getting into trouble for failing to get ready on time, and do his chores. Then he was given a very specific list of the things he would be accountable for.
After that, he got better. He knew what to expect, and he knew exactly what the consequences would be if he neglected anything.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Kids throw laundry down chute; mom does laundry
Kids eat and put dishes in d/w; oldest or mom empties d/w.
Mom grocery shops b/c daddy doesn’t know how to do it well
Kids change own beds; I don’t care too much if they’re not made every day. They HAVE to be made if we’re having company over.
All but the youngest (and daddy!) vacuum, but I have to ask.
When things get really dusty, all dust. We’ll go thru a can of Pledge b/c the boys don’t know how to go easy on it.
Oldest collects trash & recycling and takes to curb.
Middle typically does yard work.
Youngest acts busy and usually doesn’t do much of anything.
He will be in management some day!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
That sounds pretty intense for a kid’s schedule. Almost military in a way. I remember when I was a kid, I never had a schedule, I just understood when things needed to be done and for the most part got them done. I suppose instilling children with the value of punctuality can be important, but strict schedules can also be stifling, especially if you want them to ever be creative with their time.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
If the very first thing I had to do when I woke up was read the Bible, I’d probably fall right back asleep. I hope your kids are perkier in the morning than I am.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I’ve been using a checklist with my kids for at least 5 years. It covers what needs to be done so they don’t “forget” (brushing teeth, making bed, doing homework) but also some simple daily chores that they do to contribute to the household. I also give each of them 5 chores per week that I choose on Sunday, based on what needs to be done around the house. They get paid for these chores (prices vary by chore and how well it is done) plus an extra amount for completing their checklists. We don’t buy much for them beyond the essentials. They have to manage their money for things they want. They are in control and like that. This system works in so many ways. I don’t have to tell them what to do, they get things done around that house that need to be done, they earn money and learn how to manage it, they learn to read, they learn organization skills, they learn independence, they learn how to maintain and clean a house, and they learn time management. As a full time employee, mom to three, wife, pet owner and avid volunteer, I need help. This system ensures things get done.
February 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Great plan! I created something similar, though much more simplistic for my 3 year old twins. I find that things run much better around the house, and everyone is a lot happier, too.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Not a bad plan; it sounds like it’s working alright so far. I feel that I should try to do something like that, myself, to try to schedule out everything that needs to be done during the day, and stick to it. You’ll have to let us know how things proceed.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
My teen boys recently began doing their own laundry. It is wonderful! I am glad to see I am not the only one!
February 19th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
At what age do you think it appropriate to start chores with kids? Do you have an allowance tied to chores or just chores and no allowance. We debate this topic with friends all the time and my wife and I can’t make up our mind.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Um…your house was a mess because your wife was working and you are lazy. Now your kids have a chores list. No offense but, do you have a chores list now too?! I don’t have anyone to make a list for…wonder if I can get my pug to do chores?
February 20th, 2009 at 2:07 am
My son is 18 months old. I’ll be glad when he gets big enough to understand that I don’t like when his toys are all left out (he understands putting the toys back in the box and will do it if asked, but he then sometimes sees one he wants and pulls them all out to get to it then runs off).
Oh the joys
February 20th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
It was like when we first started using a budget. I was afraid that we would have less money for what we wanted, but I found out that we quickly found “more” money because we were telling our money “where to go” (as Ramsey would say). So, we actually HAD money to go out to eat!
My kids find the same thing with their chores. I’m NOT morning people, so when we are gradually waking up, they are usually watching TV or something. But when our morning officially starts, it’s chores first (they have a list), and then school. They just have to check them off before they can do anything else.
The trick is to find out what works for your family as a whole, and what motivates your kids, and keep with it. Congratulations for finding something that is working with your kids!