Comments on: Be Honest. Do I Need to Call Nanny 911?

By: Tamara B

Tamara B — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:39:07 +0000

the chore chart can be helpful for everyone in the family (moms and dads included). Some kids are visual and if they can see the list (or pictures if they can’t read) of things to do, their brains click a little better. At my house, I’ve contemplated one many times mostly for my husband. The chart would help me see ALL that he does and would help him see all that he DOESN’T.
Other things I’ve heard of are turning on music for a certain time (15 sec) and they dance and pick up during the music. It creates movement (aka excercise) and gets something accomplished.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:58:57 +0000

Thanks for all the good advice! My husband and I sat down and came up with a list of 10 “Family Rules,” such as “No eating anywhere but in the kitchen” and “Pick up after yourself.” You’d think these would be common sense, but apparently we haven’t yet instilled that sense into the boys. We also devised consequences for breaking a family rule, and we’ve tried to be pretty firm about following through. We also came up with a list of daily chores that must be completed in order to get a weekly allowance. I did notice that my youngest actually ASKED me today if he could have a snack from the fridge instead of just helping himself (and usually leaving the fridge door open as well). So I think there’s hope!

By: Jenni

Jenni — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:07:57 +0000

I have a chore chart that the girls are supposed to have completed each day. We sat down with them and wrote down a list of everything around the house that needs to be done, and we had a family meeting to discuss who does what. When they saw the list of things that husband & I do, they were a little more willing to do their fair share. So far they have been good about it.

By: Jody

Jody — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:09:21 +0000

Thins disappear around our house if they aren’t picked up. As for garbage… well, I’m not to that point yet. But I think that a nast Go-Gurt thing on the rug could equal the loss of a favorite video game or computer time.

By: Ali

Ali — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:25:46 +0000

This is what I do for my trio (ages 7, 5, and 2): I post a list of morning chores, afternoon chores and bedtime chores. They can go play after morning chores. After lunch, they have to do their afternoon chores if they want their screen hour between 4-5. If they aren’t done by 4, oh well. Each of the chore lists include “pick up clutter” so a lot of the stuff they are flinging about during the day gets picked up. The TV/computer/Wii screen is a really big incentive for mine so they usually get it done, plus it is scheduled for making dinner time, so it works for me.

By: An Iowa Mom

An Iowa Mom — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:36:42 +0000

It won’t help with “trash” like gogurt packages and apple cores, but with things they have … Wii games, movies, books, even ball caps … if I see it laying around where it’s not SUPPOSED to be … I take it. I have a box in my closet that they don’t know exists and all those things are in there. When they learn to finally take care of things and put them where they belong, I’ll start giving things back.
We just started this about a month ago. We’re making progress. The other day Jake was playing his cherished BACKYARD BASEBALL Wii game and the doorbell rang. It was a friend to play … sure enough, Jake said, “Hang on, I have to go put my game away.” Because he KNEW I’d take it and he didn’t want to lose it.
I’m hoping as we carry on and stay strong and always follow through, it will become a habit for them rather than a chore.
Good luck!