How to Organize a Chore Schedule for Kidsv

To keep the house running smoothly and efficiently, every member of
the family should be on the chore team. Picking up after themselves,
keeping rooms picked up and beds made are not chores--they're just
part of life. Assign chores based on kids' age and competence.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make a list of all chores to be divvied up.

2. Separate tasks into three age categories: beginner (preschoolers), intermediate (grade schoolers) and advanced (high schoolers and adults).

3. Assign or allow kids to take turns choosing age-appropriate chores. Beginner tasks include helping set the table and sorting socks; intermediate chores include dishwasher duty and pet care; advanced tasks include cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming and helping with meal preparation.

4. Give adults the leftovers if there are not enough able little bodies in your home.

5. Add more and bigger jobs as kids demonstrate aptitude and competence.

6. Rotate chores so that everyone shares the more odious tasks.

Tips & Warnings

• To determine how many chores you should give a child, halve her age as a good rule of thumb. A 10- year-old would get five chores; a 16-year-old would have eight.
• If a child whines about a chore or does it poorly, he gets an extra one the next week.
• See 248 Teach Your Kids About Money for tips on allowances.

[janetindy]

on 2/23/2009 As a mom of 2 and a Professional Organizer, I have developed a system that accomplishes this challenging task of developing a family team of willing contributors of home maintenance where every family member serves a role in maintaining the home, titled "Mom, Can I Help Around the House?" Learn more about my foolproof system by visiting www.KidsandChores.net or www.TheSimplifiedHome.net

[janetindy]

on 12/19/2008 As a mom of 2 and a Professional Organizer, I have developed a system that accomplishes this challenging task of developing a family team of willing contributors of home maintenance where every family member serves a role in maintaining the home, titled "Mom, Can I Help Around the House?"

Learn more about my foolproof system by visiting www.KidsandChores.net or www.TheSimplifiedHome.net