Thursday, June 25, 2009

Revamping the Chore Chart

As our family continues to grow, it's been necessary to revamp the chore chart every so often. Whether due to a new home or kids getting older and more capable, it seems like I am revisiting this subject often.

This is a chart I made about three years ago. At the time, the youngest child on the chart was Sophia, who was three. As you can see, she only had the job of Toy Pick Up. I'm sure there were odd jobs we would ask her to do here and there, but this was the only official job she had. As our younger ones have gotten older, we've added them to the chart, but usually still beginning with one or two jobs at the age of three.

Our goal is to teach our children team work, service, and responsibility. Little ones love to be given jobs and their little faces just light up when you've encouraged them in their job. And I think the earlier we instill these attributes into our children, working together as a family becomes "the norm".

Here are their current ages: Chey 16, Celeste 14, Seth 7 (almost 8), Sophia 6, Chloe 4, Ethan 3. (Genevieve is 17 mos, so not officially on the chart yet. And of course, baby Jonathan is a newborn.) The most recent Chore Chart:

As you can see, due to number of "helpers" in the house, we all have very little to do day to day. I also have a separate Saturday chart with jobs like mowing, cleaning bathrooms, dusting, etc.

So what are some of the jobs your little ones are doing? And at what age do you begin actively training your little ones to do specific chores?

11 comments:

  1. Very nice :-) We've been revamping the chores around here too. Basically for us that means giving Andrew is OWN chores instead of just helping Tyler. He's not fond of this as it means doing things by himself, but in the long run I know it will be good for him.

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  2. Adrienne12:12 AM

    I don't have an official chore chart but Trinity and Noah can clean their room and vacuum all by themselves. They both love to vacuum. Trinity can make her own bed and dust and they both help my mom out with yard work,especially Noah. Everytime we cook Trinity wants to help and the other day she made her first shake n bake chicken. They are only 3 and 2 but the more I let them do the more disciplined they become and they know what is expected of them. I love it.

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  3. Adri,

    That is EXCELLENT! Simply just "allowing" them to do these things at an early age is such a blessing in the long run. And don't you just love how excited they get over doing these jobs? It's so sweet. I can just see Trini's face as she's baking away in the kitchen! Great job, Mom!

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  4. Wow you all vacuum everyday? We do it 3 times a week. I need to pick room for the kids for certain days as of now I just write them on the dry erase board. Each of the older 3 gets 2 rooms. I need to re-do mine when we get home. For now enjoying time away...

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  5. Adrienne9:54 PM

    Yeah I don't think that parents give enough credit to younger children. They are so smart and so eager to do things to help out, the more they know how to do the better. Trinity is already helping Noah brush his teeth, wash his hands, and she is responsible for getting him interested in potty training early! Noah tries to feed Evan and hold him when he cries. I think that is what it really means to "train" your children..no matter how young.

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  6. Way to go Candace & Greg...remember our chore list? After you all were a lttle bigger we used to put all the chores in a basket and you kids pulled out which ones you were to do for a week or so before we changed them..I also have you on film (before video) mopping the floor at 1 1/2 :) Ahhh the memories

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  7. Yep....I remember, Mom! You and dad taught us well and that's where I learned the value of hard work and working as a family! I remember the video too....wasn't I SOOOO cute? lol

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  8. Adrienne10:29 PM

    I would LOVE to see that video, any way you could post it? :)

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  9. My kids have chores, and I too have noticed recently that the oldest two were responsible for things MUCH earlier than the younger ones! I have a 5-1/2 yr old that still isn't doing things the older boys were expected to do around 3 or 4 yrs of age. It's true... you get used to the older ones being responsible, and forget to train the younger ones. Well, now you've motivated to me get working on a chart. ;)

    ~k

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