Tuesday Tips-- Chores

Today's Tuesday Tip is again about house cleaning, but this one involves the kids! Yep, make your job easier and help them learn skills and develop a sense of cooperation "working together to get the job done".

We have incorporated chores into our family life in numerous ways. Some chores are expected such as making bed everyday, picking up all toys each night, bringing dirty dishes to the sink, etc. Other jobs are on an as needed basis like taking out the trash, emptying the recycling, helping with yard work, etc. Yet other jobs are on a weekly basis stripping the sheets off their beds, folding/putting away laundry, cleaning rooms, etc. All of these chores are considered working and living together as a family and therefore they do not earn money for these.**

In the summer, when we are home all day and need more stuff to do and since we can't go outside because of the heat (!), we have daily chore cards. These cards include special jobs geared to the ability of each kid. Nathan (10 years old) do his own laundry, vacuum bedrooms, clorox wipe the bathroom, pull weeds. Noah (6 years old) water plants, swiffer the wood floors, dust the living room, vacuum the couch/chair cushions. Oh and every so often I give them the surprise card! Which means they get prizes that day and a break from chores = ) (love the dollar spot at Target!)

Now, granted they need help and supervision on these tasks and the jobs change as their abilities increase. However, I like to know they are helping and they know that we are working together and often along side each other as I am helping them accomplish their chores.

**During the summer I also come up with a list of extra chores and they can earn money doing these tasks. Some of these paid jobs include: cleaning base boards, washing out trash cans, cleaning shelves of medicine cabinets, wiping down blinds, sweeping garage, etc.

Happy cleaning!! Next week I think I will address meal planning tips.... or any other suggestions?