For those of you with children at the age where you're beginning to (or have been trying to) teach them accountability and responsibility, this is a great system to give a shot. Since many children are visual learners, it's important for them to actually see what is expected from them instead of being "nagged" about cleaning their room.
This is a simple way to put the ball in their court, hold them accountable, but also allow them opportunity to earn (and learn) more!
The main difference between this system and others I've seen is that it not only sets the expectation, but allows your children to exceed the "standard" and achieve more through the "Work For Hire" section. I'm a firm believer that when you set low standards, you shouldn't expect to receive much more than that. For example, if you ask your child to clean up the yard as one of their chores, don't expect them to have come in having cleaned up all the toys, gathered the sticks and mowed the grass. Most kids will do the minimum required to satisfy your requests - period. Therefore, not only do you need to be specific in your chores, but offer them additional "Work For Hire" that instills the principal that the harder you work, the more rewards you will reap.
What you don't see in this chore system visual below is that the cards hanging in the "Work For Hire" section state to:
1) Wipe Stained Walls
2) Clean Refrigerator
3) Basket of Laundry
The key is that under each of the titles on these cards it has a detailed description of the work for hire. The more specific you are, the better. The last thing you want is for your kids to compete for this extra work for hire and then have them do a quick once over, not really completing the task, and expect to be rewarded.
Lastly, clip a dollar or two (or whatever you choose) to the back so they know what they receive if they choose to complete the extra work. This will help them learn the value of their money and their time!
See below for the printable "Weekly Chore Sheet" and how to utilize that to it's full potential.
This is a simple way to put the ball in their court, hold them accountable, but also allow them opportunity to earn (and learn) more!
The main difference between this system and others I've seen is that it not only sets the expectation, but allows your children to exceed the "standard" and achieve more through the "Work For Hire" section. I'm a firm believer that when you set low standards, you shouldn't expect to receive much more than that. For example, if you ask your child to clean up the yard as one of their chores, don't expect them to have come in having cleaned up all the toys, gathered the sticks and mowed the grass. Most kids will do the minimum required to satisfy your requests - period. Therefore, not only do you need to be specific in your chores, but offer them additional "Work For Hire" that instills the principal that the harder you work, the more rewards you will reap.
What you don't see in this chore system visual below is that the cards hanging in the "Work For Hire" section state to:
1) Wipe Stained Walls
2) Clean Refrigerator
3) Basket of Laundry
The key is that under each of the titles on these cards it has a detailed description of the work for hire. The more specific you are, the better. The last thing you want is for your kids to compete for this extra work for hire and then have them do a quick once over, not really completing the task, and expect to be rewarded.
Lastly, clip a dollar or two (or whatever you choose) to the back so they know what they receive if they choose to complete the extra work. This will help them learn the value of their money and their time!
See below for the printable "Weekly Chore Sheet" and how to utilize that to it's full potential.
Here's a link to a printable weekly chore sheet. It's a very simple concept...
1. Write your child's name at the top of the page.
2. List the weekly chores in the first section and select the days in which the chores should be completed.
3. In the daily schedule area you can put in items such as "arrive at bus stop" or "get ready for soccer practice". This is all about teaching time-management and holding them accountable for their activities.
4. Write down additional to-do's that need to be completed and in what time frame (i.e. gymnastics practice, make birthday card for grandma, finish homework due on Monday, etc...)
Thanks to Tip Junkie for sharing such a fabulous idea!
1. Write your child's name at the top of the page.
2. List the weekly chores in the first section and select the days in which the chores should be completed.
3. In the daily schedule area you can put in items such as "arrive at bus stop" or "get ready for soccer practice". This is all about teaching time-management and holding them accountable for their activities.
4. Write down additional to-do's that need to be completed and in what time frame (i.e. gymnastics practice, make birthday card for grandma, finish homework due on Monday, etc...)
Thanks to Tip Junkie for sharing such a fabulous idea!