Kids and Chores

A Tame Those Toys Thursday Post

How many of you have your kids help out around the house? This is something I had to really work on. I know that may sound crazy, but I like things done around the house my way. I want to look in my linen closet and see all the towels folded the same way. I want to look in my kitchen cabinets and see all the dishes put in the “right” spot. I want to look in my pantry and see all the breakfast food on the breakfast food shelf.

But as my kids have gotten older and I have gotten way busier, I realized that I can’t and shouldn’t take care of the house all my myself. I asked myself “Do I want them to go to college with no idea how to do their own laundry?” No, that wouldn’t be good. So I had to let go of some of my perfectionism and teach and allow my kids to help out around the home. They live there. They help make the mess. They need and should learn to clean up after themselves.

So how does this chore thing work? Well, I believe the use of some sort of chore chart for younger kids is great. As far as teenagers, I think their chore list posted somewhere is appropriate for them. Kids need visual reminders.

Here are some of the most popular chore charts:

The “I Can Do It” Reward Chart. There are 20 different, colorful chores and behaviors to choose from in your chart and it has strong magnetic strips to hold it securely to any metal surface, like your refrigerator.

This is the Dowling Magnets Chore Chart. If you want to involve your children in making a chore chart, take their photos while they’re doing each chore & adhere them to the chart. You can even use Sharpie permanent marker on your chore chart for the items you do not intend to erase often. (Nail polish remover will do the trick when you find that it is time to remove the.)

This is the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magnetic Responsibility Chart. Help kids understand the concept of behavior and rewards. This entertaining, magnetic activities board feature the innovative combination of magnets and wood. Includes a dry-erase board and 134 magnets depicting behaviors and rewards.

If you have any tips on how to get the kids involved with the chores at home, send them in!