yeah, right!

chores:

it should be a four letter word — for all ages — but when you have to start getting the young ones involved it takes on a new level of frustration.

I’m one mama who does not have it all together. One who does not keep a spotless home, a perfectly themed seasonal front porch stoop, or a half dozen home-cooked meals at the ready in the deep freezer. But, by golly, I still like to give it my best effort when I’m an extra cup of coffee over my limit.

Follow Cori on INSTAGRAM: @corijensen�� and her backyard adventures: @mysunrisehill nMy “Welcome to the Awesome Chores Party” sign was met with rolling eyes. However, in the quest to raise self-sufficient adolescents, it’s important. The objective is to teach a young person how to do the thing; instill good habits. And then, yada yada yada, raise a human with the ability to conquer the galaxy. That’s the goal, right?

In said quest to raise self-sufficient kids to be responsible, kind adults, I bring to you one of the few helpful pro-parent tips that I have: the Paint Card Chore Method. First, pick up a few free samples of the paint chip cards from a hardware store. Second, write out what you expect done on each divided color. Simple and free.

When we began, we all learned that their bedrooms were never “fully” clean without parental assistance. We needed to teach the “how.” This was the method we used that broke up the daunting task into manageable mini-chores.

The Idea Behind Paint Card Chores

Break down each area of the room and thoroughly explain how to clean it, assigning one chore card each day. On average it takes about 10–15 minutes to do it. And after the first couple of weeks, their entire room looks like an orderly room should. Not perfect every day, but manageable tidiness. Or, what I call, real life living. It should be said that this is when everyone is working the system every day. When days get skipped assigning two or three cards might be necessary. Let’s just say that my tribe often gets a couple card assignments.

The “bed” card. The first task is to take off the dirty sheets, put new ones on and then make the bed. Next would be to tidy and dust the nightstand. Third would be to clean under the bed. Remove any hidden gems and to sweep or vacuum. Just like the child, each bedroom is different, so we’ve customized each set of cards. My daughter has a vanity where she has her jewelry and nail polishes. My son has a dresser and a desk. One has carpet the others are wood floors.

When it comes to kids and chores the question of monetary payment also gets brought up. My husband and I have long since joked that we are not above bribery. But, that mantra is typically reserved for potty training. In our household, our daily/weekly chores are not something we pay to do. You are a member of the house and as such you help. It’s all part of that quest to raise self-sufficient kids into responsible, kind, adults thingies. Not that paying for chores is wrong. You gotta be you in this whole parenting thing.

We do like to give opportunities to earn some money. We are currently trying out a job opportunity jar. Decorating some craft sticks with washi tape and stickers and sticking them in a jar. Our big kids can pick what they want to do. Or not. It’s their choice. We’ve put in chores that are not part of their daily/weekly tasks and given them a dollar value.

REAL TALK: Let’s face it, chores are a Debbie Downer of a topic, but a necessary evil for most. I’m hoping that these ideas might bless you, and your kids.

Cori’s Budget Tip: Paint card samples are free where paint is sold.