SOOOO yesterday I made the official chore chart (don't mind the 80's style graphic, it was a free download) and Addison is to clean the bathroom and empty the dishwasher daily (though the dishwasher is never full of clean dishes daily, but that's why I gave that chore to her). Cayden is to keep AJ's water bowl filled up and take out the trash.
{Ok, I have to pause on the trash...funny story - Zak started making this Cayden's responsibility several months ago, and he made him take it out all by himself...heaving this humongous trash bag all the way to the alley and lifting it into the big green garbage can. I felt sooooo bad for him and thought he was way too tiny to have to do that without some help! You big meanie, Zak! hahaha just kidding...my poor husband puts up with me and my desire to 'baby' my poor little baby boy!!! I definitely had a tough time with it, but I was totally proven wrong (hopefully you aren't reading this Zak)...the task was a challenge for Cayden and he has really 'man'd up'! He even took the trash out the last few days without us saying a word about it!}
Both of the kids have to keep their dirty clothes picked up out of their rooms and make their beds daily as well. I don't really know the reason for chores, except it keeps the parents from having to do them! Ok, I'm kidding again - It teaches them about responsibilities and priorities. And their little eyes light up with pride when they show you what they've done!
We haven't really decided a reward system. I am leaning towards a week full of chores equals one day of no chores whenever they want to use it! I really don't want rewards at all because they will easily forfeit their reward and just choose not to do their work....I just want my kids to earn respect from others, and not be lazy and dependent on others (me) to do things for them. They will gain a sense of independence and pride and hopefully will also want things to be clean when they get big *cough*cough*....we'll see!!!
Suggestions? Anybody? I'll take 'em!
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
~1 Thessalonians 4:11,12
1 comment:
Your kids are so sweet, Bethie. I miss 'em.
It's great that they're doing chores. You will love this as they get older. :o)
I think I would get them both jars and randomly drop in a quarter (or a dollar, whatever) with them watching and say that this is a reward for doing SUCH A GREAT JOB with your chores or DOING YOUR CHORES W/O ME REMINDING YOU or something like that... and when it hits x amount of money, tell them you'll take them out for ice cream or donuts or something like that.
Random rewards cause repeat behavior in mice even more quickly than consistent rewards and especially no rewards. (And of course, we know that we can transfer anything learned about mice to children... lol!)
love you!! J
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