Along with our bedtime routine every night, we have these little "check lists" everyday.
Anything with little check-boxes will work, but if you want these exact ones you can find them as a free download from Clean Mama.
Everyday I write out 4 "chores" for each kid to complete. They get to check off as they go with a "special" ball point pen that matches the color of their list for the day (the colored pens make this SOOOO much more exciting!! lol) We have been using this method for about 6 months now...and still going strong! :)
I think this method is still working for us for three main reasons:
1) For the first two weeks of doing this, I also made lists everyday for my husband and I. We all worked on our lists at the same time. I wanted my kids to see that EVERYONE does chores for the good of the family as a whole, not just kids being forced by parents ;)
2) I try to keep the chores age appropriate and very specific. If you say for a child to "clean your bedroom," they will walk in and stand there not knowing where to start...after they have been "cleaning" for 15 minutes (or in child time "forever") they will feel that their room is clean. By your standards it is not clean. Now in the child's eyes they have a never-ending chore, because it will never be clean enough by adult standards, commence child meltdown.
Instead, when picking chores try to be very specific and pick tasks that have a clear beginning and end. Examples: "Pick-up all the toy cars and put them in the car bin" "Pick-up all the stuffed animals and put them in the basket" "Find 5 toys on the living room floor and put them away in their special spot" etc. This way the kids can be successful on their own, knowing where in the room to start the cleaning, and being able to see that there is a clear end to the chore.
I also try to make one of the four chores each day one that is "exciting" (meaning not picking up toys). These might include: using a disinfectant wipe to clean something (coffee table, playroom table, dining table, door knobs, bathroom counter etc.), sweeping with a child-sized broom (kitchen floor, playroom floor, etc.), or the most fun of all...getting to use the spray bottle to wash windows or mirrors! :)
3) Doing chores this way keeps things fresh and new. They get to do something different every day, so it doesn't get boring, and things usually get done well and not halfheartedly.
We have a 3 and 6 year old, and these types of small chore lists work well for us. Each task is right at each of their skill levels, and when their list is done, they are done for the day. They really love giving me their completed lists! As they get older, the chores will grow with them.
This is what works for us so far....I would love to hear what works for you!
Next post is all about rewards!!
