We started something new last month and it has been working great so far! We've given the kids Chore Charts for them to check off each night before bed. I started with some pre-made charts, but we narrowed it down to five chores we'd really like them to do and I made some with a free online chore chart maker (you can google it and you'll get a million options!) Our current chores are:
Brush teeth
Clean up toys/belongings from around the house
Put dirty clothes in the hamper and put shoes away
Clean room
Clean up after meals and snacks
Each night before bed, we give the kids about a fifteen minute warning that bedtime is coming and they need to start on any chores they have left to do. Then at bedtime, we line up in the hallway at our charts and the kids check off the ones they've done.
Brush teeth
Clean up toys/belongings from around the house
Put dirty clothes in the hamper and put shoes away
Clean room
Clean up after meals and snacks
Each night before bed, we give the kids about a fifteen minute warning that bedtime is coming and they need to start on any chores they have left to do. Then at bedtime, we line up in the hallway at our charts and the kids check off the ones they've done.
If they get all check marks, all week long, they get to chose a slip from the "Privilege Jar." (We allow a few empty squares for the week to still qualify for the privilege, but so far we haven't really needed them.) Whoever has the most checks gets to pick it from the jar. If they are "tied," we take turns drawing. The privileges in the jar are ones that the kids came up with together as things they'd like us to do as a family. We felt the kids weren't quite ready for allowance since they can't really appreciate money well yet so we chose to do family acitivities. We liked that better than toys or candy since it involves the whole family. The ones we have in the jar right now are:
* Picnic in the Park with sno cones
* Zoo Trip
* Paint ceramics
* Trip to the bookstore (and each buy a book)
* Everyone chose a toy at the dollar store
* Ice Cream sundaes
* Movie Night at home with popcorn
* Visit the Aquarium
* Visit the Pet Store (the kids love to visit the pet store, lol!)
As ideas come up, we'll just write them down and add them to the jar! Seems like we are often saying, "Sometime we should do ____." so this will be our chance to do those!
The kids draw one on Saturday nights and then sometime during the following week, we fulfill the Privilege. The slips are folded and put in the jar so they just reach in and get the one they draw. This week's privilege was a trip to the bookstore. The kids picked out several books for a little story time and Nathan and I took turns reading to them in the children's area. Then, each of them got to pick a book to buy and take home. They were so excited! We kept reminding them that we were so proud of them for earning this special trip!
What's funny is that before we started this, we'd find ourselves nagging the kids over and over to pick up their toys, take them to their room, etc. Many nights I would be too tired to worry about it and found it easier to just pick up after they'd gone to bed. But, now, the kids don't even want to wait until bedtime. Throughout the day, they keep taking things back to their rooms, putting their laundry away, etc. because, "we want to get it done now!"
They have realized it is easier to do it as they go along instead of waiting until bedtime. What a novel idea!! And I know it's only been a month, but so far the kids are excited to do their chores because they LOVE to check stuff off! Noelle has even suggested she "write in" a few other chores that she's done just so she can make another check mark! lol! It's the little things! And, bonus, we've got something fun to do as a family every week!
