Kids + Chores = A Must
Okay, I know…I know…it’s a chore just GETTING kids to do chores, right? Well, yes. But, the sooner you start, the easier…and, it’s never too late. The key is consistency!! If you are too inconsistent with having them do chores your kids won’t see the value of their hard work. A home should look mostly presentable and be sanitary. On the other hand, don’t be a Cleaning-Nazi. You have to find a middle ground and be understanding that you run a home with REAL children in it. You have to expect and learn to be okay with everything not being perfect. It can all be “perfect” when they move out. But, don’t make their lives miserable because of a character flaw you might have.
Here’s how it works at my house… We done several chore charts in the past but I have found that I am most consistent without one. Everyday…when I’m ready to be a “chore-hound”…I yell out to the dudes that it’s “job time”. I have found that I am more inconsistent if I try to have them done at a certain time every day…because I am not always ready at that time to monitor their chores. I have to be flexible and when I’m ready then the chores start. They each have two jobs a day. Rather than having assigned tasks, I just look around and see what actually needs to be done and give them each two chores. When they are done, I “inspect” them to make sure they were done in a pleasing manner. This is a great teaching moment…showing them how to do things well and what they need to pay special attention to. The more you do these inspections, the better they will do at their jobs. Again, don’t be a nut. You don’t need to nit-pick every little speck of dust you see. But, show them overall what is a pleasing way for the room to look.
Mariel is a graduate from Weber State University in Technical Sales, a degree she says helps a lot in her daily activities with her children, husband and blog. She says, “When I’m not blogging, you can find me folding laundry, sweeping floors, unclogging toilets, and complaining of a tension headache. If I didn’t have to do those things, you would find me crafting, relaxing with my little rascals, playing volleyball, working in the yard, cooking, traveling, golfing, reading, and cuddling with the Beard Man.”
