I have found paradise and it includes a Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magnetic Responsibility Chart. My boys are 7 and 4 (5 in March), they have been doing chores on a on demand basis. Recently, they have begun to become more aware of money and saving and buying. I jumped on the chance to teach them about real responsibility. Step 1 includes a responsibility chart, where each boy has 5 tasks they need to complete on a daily basis. I divided this chart in half by child and age appropriate tasks. The boys and I decided TOGETHER what the tasks would be. They were excited and felt empowered by their new jobs. We decided on a weekly allowance of $2.00 for my oldest and $1.00 for my youngest. Payment is to be given every Saturday upon completion of a weeks worth of tasks.
Step 2: The money lesson: The boys have 3 banks each. 1 for savings, 1 for spending and 1 for donating to the charity of their choice. (I’ll get to Step 2 in a different post)
Step 3: Completing the tasks (AKA Paradise Found): I am amazed at how excited they have been about making their beds, clearing the table and putting laundry away. One task is help mommy/daddy. The fact that it is open to their interpretation is incredible. So far this has included, making breakfast (cereal and pouring drinks), decorating cupcakes, and sweeping the floor. They are sooooooo proud and I am feeling like I need to let go of things and let them try their hand at different tasks. No- the beds aren’t perfect in the true sense of the word, but they are too me. My boys are learning to be independent and they love it. I love it. My babies are growing up.
This is the toy bucket! My 4 year old has always been a pill when it came to cleaning up toys. Well, I put him in charge of cleaning up toys this week. I have NOT had to ask more than once. He is so proud that he has a job to do. All miscellaneous toys go into the bucket and we find them homes later. I have never seen someone so happy to clean up. I wish I would have given up control earlier or at least given them credit for being responsible.
The chaos has settled and everyone seems to be finding their groove. Responsibility is learned and I have been happy to teach it.
* tip- I was given this chart by a friend, but you can make your own. Use a dry erase board, poster board anything!
Jenn says
Great post! For us, clean up is not too big of a deal, but it does get hectic with 3 little ones of course!!
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Aimee says
I love charts! And Melissa & Doug's chart is awesome because it is magnetic and can easily be changed. Great post and good luck in paradise ๐
Heather A. says
I love this idea. My boys are almost 7 and 4 and this sounds like a great idea for our household!
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Tricia at Mom is the Only Girl says
I love this idea! I hadn't actually thought about assigning a chore before, but maybe it will work for us! My boys dawdle at clean up time and it takes forever….I'm going to try this!
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Susan Evans says
That's great! Kids are capable of more responsibility than we think, and they can actually be a big help to us. My 5-year-old girl just made me coffee this morning (without my help whatsoever). Granted, she spilled about a third of it, but it tasted okay! LOL!