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Post by ValerieC on Jan 25, 2006 15:48:15 GMT -5
for those mommy's with the younger children.
I am really big into making sure my children do chores and help around the house. My oldest already had various chores by the time he was 2. He had to put dish towels in the appropriate drawer and empty the bathroom trashcan into the kitchen trash can and then put a clean bag into the bathroom trashcan. Now I never expect things to be perfect, but the chore was done to their ability, etc.
Now that Alethea is a pro at walking, I realized that now is the time that she can begin to do "little chores" around the house also.
She is 29 months now and has to do things like put her "pee" diapers in the trash, dirty clothes in the laundry basket, hang her coat, get a clean diaper, get her coat when it's time to go.
Simple little things that teach her 2 year old little mind responsibility and make her an active and productive member of our family.
Now I help her every step of the way. She doesn't often enjoy it because she has to do what I want her to do, not what she wants to do. I guess really I'm just in the training process, but the outcome will one day pay off immensely.
Her PT even joked that I'll have Alethea's chore sticks in a cup before long too, just like the older kids.
Just a thought I thought I would share.
What are your thoughts?
Valerie C
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Post by kellyds on Jan 25, 2006 15:53:22 GMT -5
I think you're on the right track. Mine all have specific chores, and Joshua will too. :-) Chore sticks? We have a chore chart. I set up a Managers of Their Homes chart years ago. Here's the site. The program is mainly for home school families with lots of kids and school subjects as well as chores to schedule. www.titus2.comHow do your chore sticks work?
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Post by Chris on Jan 25, 2006 17:59:21 GMT -5
Valerie,
You are such a great mom! I need you to come over here and train me. I do way too much for everyone in my house and I know it is doing them a disservice.
Chris
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Post by Emilysmom on Jan 25, 2006 20:01:46 GMT -5
GREAT job Valerie.........you're so wise to start them out young! Can I send my 18 year old to your house to learn about chores? He thinks emptying the trash is painful!
Susan
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Post by Mary_L. on Jan 25, 2006 20:29:07 GMT -5
I think it's great. Ptatrick is really the only one around here who enjoys doing his jobs. He recycles and helps with the dust mop after I sweep~he loves doing it. Unfortunately, he will probably start to dislike it as much as his brothers do.
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Post by CC on Jan 25, 2006 20:36:54 GMT -5
I still have to TELL my 16 year old daughter what she needs to do around here Chris on the other hand has ALWAYS loved to help out he loves to help out soo much he will feed the dog a few times more then she is supposed to be fed LOLOL You can bet our dog aka "GOLDIE" loves that Chores are GREAT for kids, now if we could only get SOME kids to believe that LOLOL CC ~
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Post by andrewsmom on Jan 25, 2006 20:48:40 GMT -5
Great job!! We're going through something similar in our house. My kids have always had "jobs" to do. You know, take out the trash, feed the dog, make their bed, etc. Now my 12 year old just came to me today and wants to get "paid". I explained to him that the "jobs" he does around the house are to help out and contribute to the family. I don't think they should be paid for it. So now I need to come up with something he can do for the money he is looking to recieve. uggg...
I think you are doing great starting at such a young age. I also agree that it helps build responsibility. Way to go!! -Trisha
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 25, 2006 21:12:29 GMT -5
Alright, now, I didn't say that my older kids "LIKE" doing their chores, but they still HAVE to them. LOL It is painful taking out the trash, isn't it?
Kelly,
The chore sticks...each child has their own color of large popscicle sticks with a single chore written on it. Josiah is blue, every morning I put his morning chores in a cup. Teeth, bed, dressed, breakfast, backpack. For every chore not done by the time we have to leave, they go to bed a 1/2 hour early that night. Every afternoon he gets the blue sticks in his cup...trash, homework, wipe toilet, etc. Chores are all age appropriate and time appropriate so they can still have time to "be kids". When they finish a chore, they take that stick out and put it in the main basket where all chore sticks are kept.
We finally gave into the allowance. I used to say the same thing as Trisha, but I used the allowance as an incentive of getting chores done with out my nagging. Really because I was losing my mind! Literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and we had to change the way the house was run. Now if all chores are done everyday, they get a whopping $2. I used to use the chore chart, but well, it wasn't working. This seems to be doing the trick.
Trisha, I give my kids opportunities to do "extra" chores like dust baseboards, sweep hallways, scrub the tub, above and beyond their "typical" chores. I put these on chore sticks that are their own color with the amount I'm willing to pay for that chore. Sweep Hannah's bedroom, .50. Etc. They can take an "extra" chore only after their normal chores are done. They take the extra stick, put it in their cup. When I've examined that the chore was done to my standard, not theirs, I replace the stick with money in their cup.
Hope that makes sense.
Valerie C
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Post by Deannalee on Jan 26, 2006 1:37:32 GMT -5
Ok....you are way ahead of me!!!! My 12 year old dtr is FINALLY starting to make her bed. Then, only 75% of the time. I have tried to get my kids to help with chores, but they just argue and I get tired of nagging....so do it myself. Yes, I cave. I spend more time nagging than it would take to do it. I am just sooooo busy. Anyway......can I send mine there for a week....LOL!!!!
Deanna
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Post by kellyds on Jan 26, 2006 2:50:59 GMT -5
The chore sticks sound like a great visual aid, especially for younger children. I think I'll try that with my barely-four-year-old. The older children are used to the chart, but she can't read it. I could glue pictures on the sticks for her.
Thanks for the great idea! :-)
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Post by Connie on Jan 26, 2006 12:06:01 GMT -5
Valerie, Valerie, Valerie!!! My kids have always done chores since they were old enough to walk...around 10 months. Now not much but they still had to work....throw diaper away, pick up toys etc... But, we have been struggling with chores here lately and I absolutely love your Stick IDEA!!! It is wonderful and I am going to go look for popcycle sticks today!!! Thanks, Connie
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Post by Chester on Jan 26, 2006 13:21:40 GMT -5
I love the chore sticks too. When I was teaching I used something like that in the classroom....my eldest son could use the visual of the sticks! I love the built in consequences too.....no more nagging.....what would I do?!
Dawn
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Post by andrewsmom on Jan 26, 2006 13:26:54 GMT -5
I also love the stick idea. That is great. I remind my older kids of their chores every night by saying.."ok guys, time to pitch in and do your jobs" and they usually do it with no arguments. So I guess I am really lucky in that respect. I think I will borrow your stick idea (if you don't mind) for the "extra" things they can help out with for money. You know, my older boys are 12 and 13. I think this is a tough age because they are still too young to get a job, but would like the freedom and independence to buy things on their own. uggg....does it ever get easier?? -Trisha
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Post by marisa on Jan 26, 2006 14:42:02 GMT -5
I too have my children help out with the chores, well not Laura ... not YET. I told Kathryn I was gonna make a chore chart after the New Year and still haven't gotten around to it. I really like the stick idea and I think I am going to use that instead (hope you don't mind). When Kathryn fusses about helping out, I explain to her that it is not fair that one person do all the work while everyone else plays. Also, if she helps me get the chores done, I have more time with her. This usually satisfies her and she helps happily. Great kid!!!!!
Oh yeah, I forgot Laura does help. We take the extension parts out of the "swiffer" and she pushes that around while she scoots on her bottom.
Marisa
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 26, 2006 22:02:03 GMT -5
I'm glad to see so many you have your kiddies do chores. You should hear the flack I get from people about making my kids do chores. You'd think I was beating them or something. Hello?!
You gals are all too funny! Stealing my chore stick idea. I stole it from my friend. Isn't that what moms do, we borrow what works from other moms.
Steal away gals, steal away, but don't tell your kids where you got the idea. I don't want them knocking on my door! LOL
Marisa, love the image of Laura swiffering the floor!
Valerie C
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