Chores and kids, kids and chores.Does figuring all this out take up entirely too much of our time or what? I find this a constant topic of discussion on message boards and e-mail groups.
How do you get your kids to do chores?
When should they start doing chores?
Should they get paid to do chores?
What chores should they be doing?
At my house, we use a chore chart. Having been a mom for 24 years now, we have been through a number of different chore charts. Things change, the kids grow, the chore chart changes. It's just easier for me if everything is there on paper and I don't have to remember who is supposed to do what.
In addition to a chore chart, we have cleaning checklists, which are just the chore chart in checklist form, laminated so they can use dry-erase markers to keep track of what they've done. We don't need or use them so much anymore since my youngest ones are teens but they're still floating around and still on my computer.We don't pay for regular household chores. At our house, it's the price you pay as part of the family. We do have allowances, a modest amount designed to cover basic "extras" of being a teenager. We do also have chores that can earn our kids extra money. Things like washing cars, mowing lawns, cleaning carpets--those kinds of chores enable the kids to earn money above and beyond the allowance.
It works mostly. Everything doesn't always get done, but my house is clean enough for company (not including my mother-in-law, but it will never be that clean) and everyone is healthy.
How does it work at your house?
Or does it work at your house?
What's your take on the great chore debate?
Let us know in the comments below--or on Modern Molly Mormon at Facebook.
