Chore Charts

I'm implementing a chore chart around here... or, rather, I'm going to attempt to.

Long overdue - my oldest three are 11, 9, and 7. But I never jump on these things like I should. (And then I wonder why I feel more stressed out than I should...!)

I'd like to make something that looks cute enough to hang on the wall in the pantry. Something kind of like this:

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In doing so, I'm hoping to kill two birds with one stone: get organized with jobs around here and work on a project. I haven't worked on a project in far too long. And if I post it here, it holds me accountable. Because if I'm not held accountable, I'll probably just get as far as making the job list. (I still might only get that far - but there's more hope of accomplishing it if I write it down.)

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I wrote out a list of chores today and will add to them as I think of more. But I'm trying to come up with rewards for good behavior (i.e. no moaning and groaning when it's time to do their jobs... something that happens far too often around here!) and I'm kind of at a loss. I'd love some ideas: big and small. Little rewards for individual jobs. Maybe bigger rewards for continuous good behavior - say for a week at a time, a month at a time, or something down those lines.

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I did a 'treat bag' when my oldest three were small and it was really nice for reinforcing good behavior. They got to pick something from it if they picked up their toys when they were supposed to, put things away after using them, helped me when I asked, etc... At that time, it was full of stickers, pads of Post-it Notes , little notebooks, Lollipops , coloring books, little packs of crayons, etc... Now that they're bigger, I'm trying to think of things that will encourage them to do their chores. with a smile on their faces.

Maybe the smile is a bit optimistic but hopefully I can come up with enough rewards to make them happy once they've finished their jobs!

Do you do a job chart? And if so, what types of incentives do you offer your kids? Even if you don't, and you have some ideas, I'd love to hear them. Thanks, in advance!

Comments

[Heidi]

What about money?? We're starting to reward Adrian with money (think pennies, nickels, and dimes) since he got a bank recently from a birthday party (it had candy inside). He's a little young still, but he's still pumped to get some change if he helps out with something. I'd like to teach my kids financial responsibility from the get-go. He keeps talking about what he can get with his money when the bank is filled.

[Sara]

We had a family meeting to make a job chart and the kids came up with the rewards themselves...money, a friend over, a special outing, computer time...etc. I think when they are involved then it sounds funner for them! They each have their daily jobs (that don't come with rewards) and then their are 'extra jobs' that they get rewarded for once they do 5 of them. I would go crazy without the job chart - def. helps keep things in order! Good luck - hope you find a system that works for your family!