I had a friend mention that her goal with her kids was to focus on responsibility over the summer. I'm not totally sure what she is doing with the idea but the wording alone was really great for me. As the kids are getting older we're beginning to see a need in directing them more in helping out, etc. I really want my kids to get a sense of how important it is in a family to do your part and serve each other, and while they are pretty good at that now it's time to step it up a little.
With that said I created a Chore Chart we will be using each week with the kids. I snagged the idea from a collection of other blogs as I began searching for ways to add some responsibility to every day life.
Each week a name is assigned to a specific weekly task. They are responsible for carrying out that task all week along with completing the daily task as well. The kids have done well so far. We have tried to make the jobs fun in some way. For example, kitchen helper has their own apron and chef hat! They help out from the time we start preparing dinner until clean up. That also allows us to have a little one on one time with each one of them which they all really love.
BTW - if anyone is wondering there are no rewards attached besides encouragement and gratitude. We had some good discussion prior to starting the chart about how we all have roles to play in a family (for example mine is typically cooking dinner each night) and that we fulfill those roles because we care about the others enough to do it willingly and serve the others. It's been amazing to watch as maybe one finished their task quicker then opt to help another complete their task. This doesn't happen all the time but it does happen! That tells me we are making progress... one step at a time.
Just thought I would share! Hope you and your family is having a wonderful start to Summer.
Kim
3 comments:
Well done, Kim!
I like the chore chart you've made and I agree with you that chores are a part of living in a loving family, caring for each other. Happy Summer!
Love it, Kim! Our summer started off pretty crazy-- baseball, end-of-year boyscout stuff, parents visiting and then taking ALL 5 back with them-- which is where I'm at now-- kidless. It's neat and odd all rolled into one.
Chore chart--I have the chore chart app on my iPad. I have it set up the same way and we don't do rewards either-- not the physical kind anyway.
Blessings on your summer!
Love,
Shari
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