I don't know about the rest of you, but Dan and I have discussions about twice a week about how we need to teach our kids to be hard workers. Especially since we have all boys, who will someday serve missions and have to provide for their families. Well, we talk about it alot, but that seems to be as far as it ever goes. It's so hard to let my kids work, when it is so much easier to just do it myself! I know that is a terrible attitude, but I know if I do it, it's done right and done quickly. If I let them do it, it takes forever, there are always tantrums involved, and I have to be there for the whole thing, which means I can't do the million other things that I need to get done. Well, for Family Home Evening last night, Dan suggested that we put together a chore chart for the kids. I already had one that I bought for Mason a year ago, so we pulled it out, and picked out the chores that we wanted the kids to do. While we were doing it, I suddenly realized that I do WAY too much for my kids, and sometimes my husband. I tend to "baby" everyone around me, without thinking about it. So, this morning, I had the kids go upstairs and brush their teeth and make their beds, without my supervision. Dan told me I should probably go supervise, but I wanted to give them a chance to do something without me nagging them the whole time, and let them see that they can do things by themselves. Well, I think it was a miracle, because they actually did it. They brushed their teeth and made their beds (not perfectly, of course), all without me there, getting frustrated! Anyway, we'll see how long the "chart" actually lasts, but maybe it will at least get us into a few good habits. If anyone has a system that works really well for them and their family, please let me know! Dan refuses to give rewards (not money or candy) for chores. He says it's just part of being in a family and pulling your weight. So, any suggestions that don't involve those things would be awesome!
4 comments:
I am so like you! I would rather get it done myself instead of letting them do it. But when I do let them, they have so much fun and in the end, I do too! We don't have a system set up yet but reading your blog made me want to start something so I will let you know if I come up with anything!
First--(my idea-had to give credit to the right person) Since my kids understand that they have chores every day, if they don't do them right (I call it my clean not your clean) then I add another chore. The kids quickly learned to do it the right way. (less stressful) Now Ryan has come up with beads. They each have this leather string that they can put beads on and once they've earned 30 beads then there are things they get to do--like go rock climbing, or a day off of chores. They pay for that with their beads and then they earn more. They are all working towards rock climbing right now. They all have close to 10 beads. You don't get beads for jobs that are required for being part of the fam. Like your bedroom. But if you do something without being asked, or if you keep up on everything without getting nagged then you get a bead. Hopefully that made sense. Let me tell you Gabe has been doing more chores lately than he has done in the last 5 years. Love ya! and Good Luck!!!
Hi Saedi!!! Thanks for the comment;-) I am glad that you visited my blog. I must say that I relate to you when it comes to chores. I don't have kids yet obviously, but I am a control freak and it is going to be hard for me to teach them to do stuff because I like things done a certain way!!! Way to let go though and let them help you;-)
I am so proud of you! I hope it lasts!
Those boys (all 4) are blessed to have such a doting mother and wife.
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