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| I have our chore chart pinned to my large bulletin board in my laundry room |
A master chore chart is a necessity for a well functioning home, and I’ve devised a chore chart based off of my Quick Clean Plan, that works beautifully! No rewards, no money bribes, just chores to be done to keep the house running smoothly…that is reward enough. This teaches that doing chores to keep the home running is the goal, not the reward.
This will get you and your family running smoothly and just in time for the new year! Here is what works for my family. Work it in with the Quick Clean Plan, adjust to your number of kids, and yes; a clean and organized home can be yours!
I used a large poster board (I found one with a grid on it…great for keeping straight lines).
Sharpie markers. 3 different colors.
Planner Perfect’s Quick Clean Plan
As above, I listed my days of the week down the left and the names of all my children up top.
This way each child knows what is expected from them each day of the week, down to the three year old. It was cute when my three year old saw the chart. He asked, “Mama…what do I need to do?”
Children love to be apart of a team effort to keep things rolling. Well, okay, the teenagers aren’t actually viewing it that way. But, there is something to be said, for the effectiveness of just knowing what is expected of you and getting it done. No begging or reminding, just get your stuff done listed on your day and your good.
On the Quick Clean plan there is a morning routine and an evening routine:
A.M. Routine: beds made, teeth brushed, rooms picked up, dressed, animals fed, breakfast and breakfast clean-up; before 10 a.m.
P.M. Tidy: everyone in the pool! My oldest son picks up the basement family room; the rest of the kids help pick up the main family room and kitchen.
Vacuum, wipe down and pick up any evening snacking and toys, and we’ve got a clean place to wake up to! It works well. Set a timer; make it fun and fast!
All that’s needed to be done once they know what those routines are is to write that the A.M and P.M. tidy is to be done, daily.
Under each week’s name is written what, Quick Clean, chore, is for the day. Then each child is responsible for one part of the house that that particular day’s chore is.
For example: Mondays are dusting days …see plan for more.
My oldest daughter, Abby, is responsible on Mondays for her room, and the blinds in the basement.
My oldest son, Taylor, on Mondays has to do the basement bookshelves as well as his room.
And I go through the house giving each child dusting jobs. (This is where the many kids come in handy!)
Check out the Quick Clean plan to see what is needed to clean each day, so as to make your chart effective.
Keep in mind ages, from eighteen years to three.
This is important. You want to be practical and give them something you know they can get done. My oldest, is never home working 2 jobs; I keep her load light on days I know she’s busy and on her 2 days off, I have her doing her share.
My three year old has great jobs like dusting the railing and washing cabinet fronts…perfect for little ones, and helps a lot.
Everyone in the home should have a laundry day.
Even the small ones; because you can help them! I have each child having a day to do their laundry. They can learn how to run the machine, fold, and put away. I wash my husband, my 3 year old and I’s laundry on Sundays and have my three year old help. This keeps the laundry room open and available and clean for when a family member is doing their laundry on their day.
Keep everyone organized with their own laundry baskets for ease to carry their laundry, to fold and put away.
Organized, effective, fabulous, and Planner Perfect!
Use the Quick Clean Plan as your guide, tweak to your family, put in a spot where all can see…and you’ll be organized all year round.
Here’s to being organized in 2012, girls!
Hugs,
Jenny
I have been looking for something like this forever. Thanks so much for the ideas. In a family of nine 7 kids and two adults. Clutter can and does happen fast. I have ages 16 to 5 months. So yes I really want to organize and this helps!