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the hammer. the update.

Thought I’d take a moment to update you guys on the hammer.

You know, the one that fell about three weeks ago?

The fact that I can even recall discussing the hammer, and it’s subsequent falling, is a very good thing for me.

Especially considering this heat I’ve been dealing with.

But, more than that, I’ve actually kept up with it.

I printed out chore charts. I put them in page protectors. I put the page protectors in the binder, one under each child’s name.

I know. I can’t believe it either. Just goes to show you how far out of your comfort zone desperation can drive a person.

I separated the ‘duties’ out as ‘upstairs duties’…

and ‘downstairs duties’…

Each floor has 5 days worth of duties, organized according to day of the week. With two kids per ‘team’: Asher + Isabelle and Dalton + Sophie.

This forces encourages them to work together, help each other and no one is ‘done’ until the entire chore is finished. I printed out two copies of both ‘floors’ of duties so each child has a copy under their tab in the binder. I spelled it out clearly, so no one can skimp on what needs to be done (as if my kids would ever skimp, pshaw!)


And having one big kid and one little kid per team works because the big kid gets to tell someone what to do. And the little kid can pull out the “too little” card for the big chores. So everyone, for the most part, is happy.


The littlest three have chores too, but since they can’t read, I didn’t print out duties for them. This also has an added benefit for me… I can holler out at any point during the day, “the dogs need water, Jude!” or “pick up the play room, Shepherd and Vivi!” and they’ll do it. Cuz it’s their chore.

And they can’t prove otherwise.

I’ve spent a good deal of the last few weeks having to actually show them how to do the chores they’ve never done before. But I think of it as time very well spent. I mean, if I can’t teach them how to care for their things, and their home now, how will they ever know how to when they’re bigger? And messier?

All in all, I’d say things are going much better than I had anticipated. The kids are really working together, most days, and managing to get a lot more done without my intervention. And I am loving all the extra hands around here for daily duties. When so much gets done during the week, we can spend our weekend, well… not cleaning.

Sounds like heaven around here, right?

Not so much. But it is much mo’ bettah than it was. There’s a heck of a lot more Comet being flung around than ever before. And I like to think that is a good thing.

If you’re sitting on some great tips for motivating kids to do their chores, please do share. I can always use all the help I can get.

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07.09.10 · real life, what works for us 5

Comments

  1. clearness says

    July 9, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    So glad to hear you have such a good system worked out!

    Reply
  2. Sharon says

    July 9, 2010 at 9:23 PM

    Love it! I need a chore chart! This just may be the inspiration I needed!

    Looking forward to reading the responses!

    Thank you!!!

    Reply
  3. Norah says

    July 10, 2010 at 11:04 AM

    I'm lovin all these chores. My son thinks it's the end of the world that he has to take the garbage and recyclables out. " I just did it yesterday! How could it be full?!" Welcome to my world, I tell him. My middle child thinks it torture that she has to wipe down the sinks/vanities and outside of toilet and the youngest loves to do any chore.

    Reply
  4. Chris, Tammy and the gang! says

    July 10, 2010 at 10:07 PM

    Hi,
    I use compostable wipes for cleaning – they are super easy for the kids – each child has their own container of wipes. Just something easy to use instead of getting buckets/sinks full of water and comet.

    We've been doing this for a long time and the kids don't blink an eye at having to do the chores anymore. We don't even use the chart anymore.

    Motivation for the kids…basically, the reality is this…do all the chores yourself because you're grumping or we all work together (including mom's help) and we can get it done in about 20 minutes and have the rest of the day to do whatever we want. Enough said.

    My boys would make any women proud with their bathroom cleaning skills. I keep telling them how thankful their wives will be someday! 🙂

    Some people don't understand big families but there are lots of benefits to having many hands around the house! 🙂

    Take care,
    Tammy
    PEI, Canada

    Reply
  5. kee says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    I’m new to your blog and enjoying reading very much. I came across this post, and the link to the first mention of The Hammer is broken. Just thought I’d give you a heads up. (I know its like crazy old!)

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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