I found it very amusing how many messages and questions I got over something in the background of a picture I posted on my Instagram last week. Here's the pic.
Everybody wanted to know about the list on my fridge. That's the daily chore list I have for my kids. It isn't fancy. It isn't pretty. It's simply a visual reminder for them to do these things daily. And yes, if you have boys, they're probably going to need a few hygiene reminders. To paraphrase JFK, "what can you do for your country?" Teeth brushing and deodorant, for the love!!
I count this a part of our homeschool routine. These are life skills. Yep. Even the smallest things need to be taught. Teaching your kids to have good habits is SO important for their growth. I don't just mean habits so they aren't channeling Pigpen from Peanuts. Teaching these small habits helps them learn how to create positive habits in their lives. Habits are something that can make or break you. Bad habits are things we always hear about, but what about good habits?
*Reading for a set amount of time.
*Putting things away when you're finished with them. (We're still working on this one. Even me.)
*Putting your dirty clothes in the hamper at the end of the day. (Omg, this one will be the death of me!)
*Putting your dirty dishes in the sink after a meal. And if you rinse them, you get bonus points!!
These are just a few good habits I want to instill in my kids.
"So, why are habits important?"
Habits teach self-sufficiency and independence. I don't know about you, but I don't exactly plan on doing my kids' laundry when they're 35. If there was an emergency, well, that's a horse of a different color.
Habits teach independence and responsibility.
You know those days where you feel like you are the worst mother ever because your kids just don't seem to "get" the simplest things that you do EVERY.DANG.DAY. and you're just ready to give up? Those days are completely canceled out for me when my kids do something they're supposed to without being told. I hear angels singing, the light is brighter and more glorious, and I feel like I have actually accomplished something HUGE because the person who came out of my person is turning into an actual thinking, functioning, independent person. I have actually done something RIGHT in this Mom thing!! They did something without being TOLD?! THE WORLD IS ACTUALLY ENDING!
"So, why are habits important?"
Habits teach self-sufficiency and independence. I don't know about you, but I don't exactly plan on doing my kids' laundry when they're 35. If there was an emergency, well, that's a horse of a different color.
Habits teach independence and responsibility.
You know those days where you feel like you are the worst mother ever because your kids just don't seem to "get" the simplest things that you do EVERY.DANG.DAY. and you're just ready to give up? Those days are completely canceled out for me when my kids do something they're supposed to without being told. I hear angels singing, the light is brighter and more glorious, and I feel like I have actually accomplished something HUGE because the person who came out of my person is turning into an actual thinking, functioning, independent person. I have actually done something RIGHT in this Mom thing!! They did something without being TOLD?! THE WORLD IS ACTUALLY ENDING!
"Do they do things without being told every day?"
via GIPHY
Oh! Did you say something? I'm sorry I couldn't hear you over the sound of my own laughter. OMG. NO. There are days I have to remind them 50 million times. Then I have to turn into The Godfather. "Imma make you an offer you can't refuse." That offer is usually me taking away all screen time until they decide to be a contributing part of the family. Mom doesn't play that game. Mom isn't always going to follow them around and remind them. Mom cannot call them at their job and ask them if they've done what they're supposed to do when they're adults. Mom is going to teach you how to be a functioning part of the human race right now because that is her job and she gets paid in gray hair and boxed wine.
I'm always writing down my own lists in my planners, so a checklist isn't foreign to them. Since they're very visual learners, a simple list works great. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive. In fact, I keep it cheap because we rotate chores often so everyone gets to learn how to do things.
This list is super simple. It's just a piece of plain old copy paper that I jotted their to-dos in Sharpie and laminated it. That's all. You can use Sharpie on it to check things off (Hand sanitizer and a paper towel or rag and a smidge of elbow grease takes it right off.) You can also use dry or wet erase markers. Your choice. I occasionally use things that won't just wipe off because *SOME* people like to erase their brothers' list to make them mad. Yep. We are that family. Yay brothers!
This list is super simple. It's just a piece of plain old copy paper that I jotted their to-dos in Sharpie and laminated it. That's all. You can use Sharpie on it to check things off (Hand sanitizer and a paper towel or rag and a smidge of elbow grease takes it right off.) You can also use dry or wet erase markers. Your choice. I occasionally use things that won't just wipe off because *SOME* people like to erase their brothers' list to make them mad. Yep. We are that family. Yay brothers!
That's it! Easy DIY chore charts for your kids. Customize them for your family, make several, use them to earn allowances (if you do such a thing), use them to earn more privileges, potty training... Heck, make one for yourself if you need to! Learning new good habits is never bad.
Your doing a great job so m as many parents are not teaching these things or not making children do chores. The best thing you can teach a child is how to be independent I've always thought that was the most important factor in learned from baby and child care books I read. My mother was a full time executive so I didn't have anything besides babysitting to base my parenting skills on.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! At least the kids can't grow up and say I didn't try. I'll have to direct them to this blog post. ;)
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