Getting the kids to not only do their chores but to take responsibility for remembering their chores and taking initiative to go above and beyond is a big task.  Chore Cards has been one of the most successful systems that I have used and for a few reasons.

 

I have two card systems – one for the child who just needs a check list – they already know their jobs, do them without reminding.  The cards are really there for back up on those “bad” days when habits just fly out the window!  For these children I have one card for each chore session in our home. (Morning Chores, Lunchtime chores, 5.00pm Chores).

 

The second system is for the child in training.  They need reminding that it is chore time, what their chores are, and sometimes how to do the chore.  For these children I have each chore on a separate card.  For those who can’t read I use clip art.  A friend of mine has used photographs of the child working that particular chore and that has worked well too.

 

 

At the beginning of each chore time I place the cards face up; in line according to their age, and if there is more than one card they go down under each other (like a column)

 

The idea is that the child goes to their card (if they need to) instead of coming to Me for every job.  This teaches them not only to follow a system but gives them a sense of ownership of their tasks.  A good thing!

 

When they have completed their task they turn the card over – face down.  The older ones wouldn’t do this until their whole list is completed but the younger ones do it job by job.  This achieves two things.  One, there is a physical reminder that they are achieving and getting their chores done.  The second benefit is that at a glance I can see how each child is doing.  I can then – without confrontation – go and check up on someone if I feel they are dragging the chain a bit and either encourage or do a spot of training.

 

Another friend of mine puts “well done” type stickers on the back of the cards so that when they are turned over there is an automatic encouragement for them too!

 

I also have an extra card for each child.  I write on this card whenever there is an extra chore that needs to be done.  The older two often get an extra chore to help me in the morning chore session.  They have to tick this off before they turn the card over, as the card will be used for listing extra chores until the card is full.

 

I find this system very flexible.  If we have a rushed day, I can take one of the younger children’s chores and ask the older to do it for the day and the younger child still has a system and is not confused by change.   I can add or make changes to their chores without fuss.

 

Once my younger children are responsible for the basic household chores we will rotate, maybe on a monthly basis.  We don’t rotate now because I find that they need an extended period of time to work on one skill.  I also use the idea of rotation (and therefore not having to do the Kitchen, for example, every morning!) as a reward for gaining the skill.  The skill requires not only having to do the chore, but it has to be done in a reasonable amount of time, without reminders and it has to be done well the first time.

 

I have found having set chore times in our daily schedule has also been a big factor in the children taking ownership of their responsibilities.  Once they take ownership of their responsibilities they can start to be trained in taking initiative and in going the extra mile.

 

The best story I have to illustrate the value of training our children in household responsibilities is the day I stopped our Saturday Homeblessing early and raced into town.  We’d done the basics but I had warned the kids that we might have to do a little more around 4.30pm that day just to finish off.  When I got home I felt there were things different about the place but I couldn’t quite tell.  I asked the kids what they had been doing while I was away and they giggled that they had done nothing!  I was then convinced that things were different and I started to look deeper.

 

They had vacuumed/swept the whole house (a mammoth task!), they had dusted, polished the kitchen sink, done 2 loads of washing and hung it to dry, cleaned the bathtub/shower walls.  I was amazed.  They had worked together and this blessing for me, and even found a chore that DM could do so he could feel involved.  They saw what needed to be done and organised themselves to do it efficiently.  They had gone above and beyond their responsibilities – they had excelled.  I was blown away.

 

 

The download link is on it's way.

Individual Education Planning Worksheets - brainstorming every area of your child's life.

Get your Planning Worksheets

I will email you the download link so you can start looking at all the different spheres of your child's life before you make any curriculum choices. 

The download link is on it's way.

An Alternative to Chocolate

An Alternative to Chocolate

Not that I have anything against chocolate - but these jelly beans can help your kids share the message of Jesus, his love, death and resurrection at Easter time.  

The download link is on it's way.

Parent Guide: How to make your Family Bible Study Really Work

Family Bible Study is Tricky with all the Different Ages

 

But there is a way to make this a rich learning and bonding family time.  This Guide includes tips, planning worksheet, and discussion prompts.  

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download yourCharacter Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download your Character Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

The download link is on it's way.

Download your Cheat Sheet

 

A quick reference to help you discern between a heart attitude and a lack of skill for when your child loses it!

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on its way.

Make God your First Response

Print out this parenting reminder to call out to God in the middle of the moment.

I'm excited to share this download with you. Watch your inbox.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

 

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Our children hear different words when we react to when we respond. Do your children hear blah blah blah when you correct them? Includes a parenting poster.

Download Parenting Poster

 

When we Respond instead of React we find a way to deal with the heart not just behaviour.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Character Lesson Guide

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

When family relationships get tense - look for the niggles.

Heart Focused Parenting Resource for the Intentional Parent

 

Your download will arrive in your inbox shortly. 

Print it out and use to teach the hearts of your kids.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Free Email Course

Daily emails  (6 days) to help you walk towards being a heart focused homeschool family!

You have joined the email course. Watch your email inbox!

Find ways to Re-engage your Student

Download this checklist and stir your child's curiosity

Watch your Inbox - the Checklist is on it's way!

FREE Parenting Worksheet

This worksheet will help you move from addressing behaviour to really parenting the heart, one issue at a time.

 

 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Personal growth starts with an honest assessment

The download link is on it's way. Please check your email.

Give Effective Consequences

Think before you React

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

 

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

One Another Verses

Be Intentional in the Teen Years

Use this Cheat Sheet to remind you of how you can love your teen.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

#14 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download your copy

Download your copy

Blending Life and Lessons - and start your journey of changing your thinking about education.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download: One Another Verses pdf

Download this list of One Another verses and teach your children how to love others.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Raising Kids with Character

ATTEND LIVE : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Live Session:  5th May 2021, 6.30pm AWST

Replay available until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

REPLAY OPTION : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Replay available from 6th May until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

WAITLIST

 

The Raising Kids with Character parenting workshop will be offered again this year - details yet to be confirmed.  Join the waitlist so you don't miss out. 

I will keep in you in the loop as soon as decisions have been made!

Bonus Reading list

 

Sharing my Homeschool Belief File

Knowing what you believe and why about education and homeschooling helps you make good decisions.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Build your Family Routine
Starter Kit:

Assess and Plan how to use your time wisely with this worksheet bundle.

Instant download, and then join the Heart Boost Weekly, by confirming in your email.

Success! An email link is being sent to you!

Success! An email is on it's way!

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Download: Family Devotional Activities (PDF)

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download:Workshop Resource

This is a digital product. Download and print - but please don't share. 

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

#21 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Success! An email is on it's way!

%d bloggers like this: