Chore Charts

A few weeks ago, we decided we needed to have a family meeting to talk about the dreaded subject of chores. We believe our kids need to have chores so they can learn about personal responsibility, make a contribution to the family, to teach them to be organized, clean and take care of their things, and to also give them a little bit of moola so they can buy ice cream on Fridays after school. So we all sat down around the coffee table, broke out the pizza and handed each kid a piece of paper and a pencil. They were so excited to find out what this family meeting was going to be about. I layed out, in detail, what needed to be done and gave them the choice of when they were going to do that particular chore: morning, afternoon or evening. Now since THEY had the "power" to choose when to do what, they feel like they are in charge of their schedule and feel empowered to do chores! What a concept!! It's been three weeks now and I am AMAZED at how well these new chore charts are working. The kids put a checkmark after each chore is completed and if they complete all their chores that day, mom or dad drops a little money in a glass jar we bought just for them. I think each kid didn't complete all their chores only a few times. Angel and Alliah are such good kids! We certainly have been blessed with kids who LOVE to help, and now are starting to notice when help is needed and they step up! These chore charts are life savers and voice savers, too. We don't need to remind them, they just know what needs to be done. I'm left standing in the hall saying, "Ha-le-lu-yuh, thank-you Jesus!" :D I love them chore charts!