A Job Chart System that Works!

A New Year called for updating my job charts!

I want my boys to grow up to be hard working, contributing type people and I know that starts at home.  I am finding that it takes a lot of work and patience to train children...but I am already seeing the reward!  It is so nice to have my boys help without complaint and to feel like I am not the only one working around here!

 

 I have found that the keys to success when it comes to getting children to work at home is to have CLEAR EXPECTATIONS and be CONSISTENT. 

When my boys have work "sprung on" them, that they were not expecting their attitudes are not the best. It is no fun for Mom, so I have created job charts and they can see exactly what is expected. 

 

The only day that is not clearly outlined is Saturday.  On that day the charts says to plan on 1 hour of work from Mom and Dad.  Every Saturday I have a little list of jobs they must accomplish before hanging out with friends or turning on any electronics.  The one that never changes is super cleaning their rooms (dust, vacuum, closet, drawers) but the other jobs just depend on what needs to be done. 

 

I have hung these on a magnet board in our sunroom which is off the kitchen, a place where we are the most:)

 

 

We have a rule that the boys are free to come home and get a snack and relax after school, but the jobs need to be done BEFORE electronics or play each day.  This is something that I have to enforce or the jobs would never get done.  Also, if they leave for school and don't make their beds then they owe me an extra job when they get home.  I try very hard to NOT get mad, but hold them to it!

I can happily say that consistency has paid off and there are rarely any problems with this anymore.

*as a side note under Everyday (see below) I don't force them to say their prayers,  that is just a little reminder:)

Also we do our 30 min reading before bed and homework after school or while I make dinner.

 

I have cut and pasted 3 documents for a closer look at the system:

 

#1 This is one of the individual little charts pictured above for a closer look:

Coleman Keith

Everyday: personal prayer, scriptures, make bed, tidy room, empty laundry basket, read 30min, homework.

 

Mon- Media Room

Tues- Family Room

Wed- Dishes-unload/reload

Thu- Sweep kitchen/Laundry

Fri- Bathrooms shine

Sat- 1 hour of work

Sun- Journal, Duty to God, Weekly Goals, Letters

 

#2  I printed this off and hang it above their job charts so they can clearly see a description of what is expected for each job.

 

Job Descriptions

Media Room (FOR THE DAY)

 Media Room: put away anything out, including DVDs & Wii stuff, pick up trash, vacuum if needed. 

Family Room (FOR THE DAY)

Family Room: put away anything out, including toys & trash, keep pillows on couch, vacuum if needed. 

Bathrooms (FOR THE DAY):  

All 3 Bathrooms (not master): Shine mirror, wipe out sink & countertop, wipe down toilet (including under lid), pick up towels, check toilet paper and soap dispensers and overall tidy up.

Sweep kitchen/ Laundry:

Sweep kitchen and main hard floors (including hall, sunroom, outside of family room, entry), help with one batch of laundry*-fold

Dishes(FOR THE DAY)

Unload and reload dishes as needed, especially after meals. 

 

Saturday:

See Mom and Dad for a list of jobs—plan on about an hour of work

 

 

 

#3 I hung this little graph on the side of the fridge so I can easily check and see who has what everyday.   I have found that I really need to follow up on their daily jobs and remind them that we work before play:)

 

	Connor	TJ	Coleman	Bridger	Cannon
Monday	Bathrooms	Dishes	Media Room	Sweep/ Laundry	Family Room
Tuesday	Dishes	Media room	Family Room	Bathrooms	Sweep/ Laundry
Wednesday	Sweep/ Laundry	Bathroom	Dishes	Family Room	Media Room
Thursday	Media room	Family Room	Sweep/ Laundry	Dishes	Bathroom
Friday	Family room	Sweep/ Laundry	Bathrooms	Media Room	Dishes

 

There you have it!  A tried and true work chart system that works!

Next up:  A daily work chart for myself!  

Summer Job Charts

I know, that I wrote 'next up was our Summer Bucket List', but I decided to post the Summer Job Charts first, since "work comes before play"!  That is a little idea that I am trying to teach my boys. Somedays, I feel like it is a constant phrase coming out of my mouth. 

It helped a lot once I got our Summer job system up and going on our 'Family Command Center'. Ever since life has been much happier, with a much cleaner house (yeah!) and a less frazzled and nagging Momma. When the expectations are clear my boys do so much better.  I figured out what I needed done everyday and divided it up between the boys.  The three oldest rotate between certain jobs--with the description outlined below.  My two little boys have age appropriate jobs each day too. 

For the older boys, I typed a detailed description of what the listed jobs meant. I fogot Dishes--but have told them when they see that on their chart--they are the 'Dish Duty Dude': meaning unloading and reloading dishes throughout the day.  I am hoping that they will learn to put their dishes in the sink and maybe brotherly peer pressure will help.

The jobs are now clearly outlined for the summer and I don't have to change the routine until school starts.  It is really important to me that my boys learn to work, so they know that there will also be big projects we work on together once a week or so. Such as, last week we dug out a HUGE thorny giant of a bush that was taking over our front planter box.  It took us hours but I could tell the boys were proud of their work:)

I found a great weekly calendar from Erin Condren online.  I love the bright and fun colors and personalized design.  I also ordered the Life planner, which I LOVE too!

I recently purchased this and used it to laminate the charts.  Now I can add notes with a dry erase marker if I want.

So far so good.  We are working hard and playing hard too!  We have already crossed off a couple of things on our bucket list.  Now that jobs are out of the way--the fun is coming...Summer Bucket List really is up next!

Yeah for summer!!