The Personality of Chores

OK, I’m going to START this blog by saying I’m feeling quite lame focusing on chores so much!

But, I keep getting requests, so I’ll keep going.

• If you are one of the moms who have asked how we do it and just want examples, scroll down to see pictures.
• If you are NOT interested in chores, skip today’s blog and I’ll move on to a new topic soon…promise.
• If you would like to see our pictures and want my thoughts on getting started….read my entry today and enjoy. J

A brilliant mathematician does not typically write novels; an electrician has little desire to perform surgery on a patient; and I’m pretty sure not many truck drivers want to conduct a symphony. Living a life of happiness includes seeking a career that fulfills our desires which most usually utilizes our natural abilities. God gave us those differences – strengths and weaknesses – for a reason! Know your child’s personality and fit his/her chore list to create success and to encourage adaptability around weaknesses. Sometimes trudging through tasks by using our weaker traits is just as (or more) important than focussing on using only our strengths! Balance...life is all about balance!

In jeopardy of sounding like a broken record (if you remember what those are), I fully believe chores are a foundation for learning to live a life of Heart’s Intent and they set a very solid foundation for seeking careers of enjoyment and fulfillment when they are implemented well. This being said, IF you want your chores to be successful and IF you want the task to be more of a life lesson than a simple daily task, the thought before making the chores, the time to create the process, and the 2 weeks of boot camp to enforce them, will be much more excruciating (and rewarding) than any of the time spent actually accomplishing the jobs.

Some of you have emailed me and others have asked me in person how to even begin chores in your house and my answer simply is…there is not simple answer! Your house and your chores are different than any other. I said from the beginning of this blog I believe all families are soooooo different from one another and comparing our lives or imitating another’s home would be pointless because the result will be unfulfilling. However, the tie that binds is Parenting with a Passion. So, if your gut says something is missing, please take the time to think about chores. Ask yourself…

            Why do I want chores in my home?

            What ages are my children and what are they capable of?

            What natural strengths do each of my children possess?

            What weaker traits do they need to develop more?

            When are my children available to do chores?

            And, one of my favorites….

                        What jobs does Mommy NOT enjoy doing?

                       

Oh yeah….don’t tell the kids about that last one! Chores are most importantly for the sake of the children, however, you take the time to do them right and you deserve to reap some of the benefits. Right?

These questions will get you to the starting point. Chores are an evolving process in our home and they always will be! As my children grow, our home’s needs change, their schedules change, and as we continue to RAISE A FARM OF PETS in our suburban home (ugh) our chores will continue to change as well.  

Our current home chores are as follows:

All of their charts are based on morning, afternoon, and night time chores. This helps breaks up the tasks throughout the day. Also, their dinner assignment nights are selected by eliminating those who have dance, soccer, etc on certain days. Laundry days are decided by when they are available to put the laundry away (Mommy does NOT like it sitting in the basket). They do not have laundry on their tutoring days or extracurricular activity days and the Cotta kids have schedules that will work around the weekends they are with Daddy. Weekend chores can be done on Saturday or Sunday, but are marked off to clearly show they are not expected during the week.

THESE charts are created by a mom with slight OCD, so as I said..not all will be the same! :)



11 yrs old. Her chores are mainly developed out of need of
cleaning jobs she most often needs reminders of. She chose her pet chore,
she does not need a reminder to read nightly, and she gets
paid when tutoring her sister. She accepts having a chart on the wall with the little
guys, however I respect her being older by not making her check off the list.
This is more of a reference for both of us as to what I expect of her.

 


9 yrs old. Sky Bear is my girl who needs "focus goggles" to accomplish tasks.
I am very specific with what I expect of her and check on her often during chore
time to get her back on task, but her strength is her meticulous attention to detail.
If a cabinet needs reorganizing, she's the one I call on and she is happy to do it!



9 yrs old. Kenzie Girl loves having a chart and getting things done without
being told. She is often the first to get going and the first to get done. Sometimes
I have to slow her down to focus on doing her chores instead of
rushing to get on with the next thing in her day. If I need help doing a quick
clean for company on the way, she will get the job done QUICK!



6 yrs old and ONLY boy. He just graduated to a chart without pictures
included (so did Maddy) and I've tried to use wording they are
able to sound out. He gets medicine daily and his chart encourages
him to be responsible (with me) for remembering this. Also,
he gets the yard toy job because he often creates the yard mess and honestly
he is ALL boy and would rather be outside than stuck inside with us!
He only does laundry once a week because he hates it!
(He would wear the same clothes every day if I would let him)
Our compromise to him hating laundry day
is doing a bigger load only once per week.



6 yrs old. She meticulously marks off her chores daily and it helps her
in learning the days of the week, reading the words on the chart, and
feeling accomplished...which is a BIG deal to her! She sprays our door handles
or wipes the light switches (alternates) daily to help everyone stay healthy.
This is a perfect example of using a strength..she's a slow go detail girl
who always gets it done well!



If you have questions about our chores or need help developing your thoughts or if you want to add your own great ideas, PLEASE DO! Also, if you are interested in another mom's specific chore thoughts, I really recommend reading Sue's comment a few posts back. She gave a great perspective on how she implements them in her home!

Today, I wish for you....

A new desire to not do for your children, but instead teach them to do for themselves!