I decided to do something radical this summer. I created a chore list for my children.
They're 11 and almost 10, and this is something I probably should have done a long time ago but I didn't. We're a busy family and I always felt guilty asking them to pitch in when they had homework and practice and lessons to focus on. One day I started making a list of everything I did around the house and realized some of the stuff that was taking me a few minutes here and a few minutes there (adding up to many minutes of my day) could easily and quickly be done by them.
I contemplated hiring a security team for when I announced there would be a chore list. Shockingly, I was only met with one eye roll and some glares. Not bad.
June 1st the list went up on the refrigerator. We try not to work on Sundays so this gave everyone a day to ponder their fate. My calendar is color-coded for each family member (that's a whole other story) so I stuck with the same method for the chore list. Over breakfast I saw them flick their eyes towards the list but no one made an effort to really take a look - ignoring-it-and-it'll-go-away is not a valid strategy, dear family.
Monday after school was go time. After they had a snack I was very accommodating and read the list to them as they lounged in front of the tv. About the time I was ready to resort to threats they both got up and got started. I had to show Abby how to use the dust pan after she swept and Eli had an issue getting the bathroom trash bag all the way outside to the garbage can, but they were able to cross their items off the list.
By day three they came straight in the door from the school bus and got started on their tasks so they could "relax without worrying about it." I'm thinking our house won't pass a white glove inspection, but so far, they're proud of what they're accomplishing and the quality of the work they're doing. That lesson is worth more to me than the extra help I'm getting with the housework.
Thinking of starting a chore list for your household? I thought it would keep their attention more if I mixed it up, and these things take no more than 20 minutes of their time. Here are some ideas from mine:
*Odd numbered days - Abby will fill the dogs' dishes with water, while Eli sweeps
*Even numbered days - Eli will fill the dogs' dishes, while Abby sweeps
*I alternate each week who will dust the living room and who will dust the den, and who will scrub the bathroom sink with who takes out the trash
*Each child keeps their room tidy and clean, and changes their own sheets each week
