‘creative’ chore charts.

ETA: List of chores as per request. :)

Morning Chores:

• pack your lunch kit and backpack
• get breakfast
• make your bed
• get dressed

Afternoon/Evening Chores":

• help fold laundry
• load dishwasher
• help clean bathroom
• wipe down bathroom
• recycling
• put away your toys
• clean living room
• tidy shoes
• put away backpack, jacket and shoes
• mop kitchen floor
• dust living room
• put away laundry
• do homework
• unload dishwasher
• clean bedroom
• set table
• clear table
• sweep kitchen floor

I tried to add chores that I knew they weren’t old enough to do yet, but needed to learn how to do eventually, like help clean bathroom. Come watch me, learn how to wipe down a sink, toilet etc. and then eventually I can make a new tag that says clean bathroom sucker. ;)

ORIGINAL POST:

For whatever reason, I decided to take some comments made about my blog personally, and to punish the world, I stopped posting. Now really, in the grand scheme of things, people who use words to hurt don’t matter, so I decided to pull up my big girl panties and move on. Plus, I kinda need my blog friends for something really cool.

I need your votes in a contest my friend entered me into. Now don’t you feel loved. ♥

The contest is a search for the Most Creative Mom, and well the prize is a $1000 shopping spree at Michael’s. Which I want, bad.

Okay, so to pay you back for your daily, diligent voting. (which you will do, pretty please) I’ve decided to fill my blog this week with projects galore. If I have to prove to you that I’m the most creative mom alive, then I will die trying.

So here’s the link. VOTE FOR AMY!! You can vote once a day.

Onto the good stuff. So as you know, a year or so ago I introduced the token system on my blog that we started using as our chore/reward system. And it worked, wonderfully, but after awhile, the system just seemed too complicated (for the kids) and took too much of my time (which is precious with 4 kids running around) So I needed to come up with something else that would work for all ages and something I could change and adapt as our kids got older and more responsible.

So I came up with this new chore chart for our kids.

I started by buying 3 frames from Wal-Mart. I chose ones that had a plexi glass insert instead of real glass, just in case they got knocked off the wall or something.

I used the 3M removable adhesive hooks and put six evenly spaced apart onto the plexi glass of the frame.

Next I made the chore chart tags.

Mine are 3x3 inch squares cut out of various patterned scrapbook papers. I printed a list of our chores, cut them into squares and glued them to the front of each tag. I cut a hole in the top and laminated them all. I think I have about 50 tags total. (Some duplicates for each child)

And really that’s all there is to the preparation of the chart.

We’ve broken our down into 2 sets, morning and afternoon chores.

The morning chores are things they have to do before they leave for school. They get the same 4 chores every day (except Saturday and Sunday)

I hang the chores onto the hooks from the punched holes on the cards.

Once they’ve completed the chore for the day they can flip the tag around so that I know they’ve done it and visually they can see what they have left to work on.

When they are in school for the day, I take off the morning chores and replace them with their afternoon ones. The chores are a little different everyday, depending on what I’ve worked on during the day. If I cleaned bathrooms that day, I won’t assign that task, or if there is laundry to be put away etc.

The great thing about it to, is that it’s totally customizable. For Lily, she doesn’t have homework, so it’s a tag she won’t get assigned, but the big kids always get that chore.

I decided to hang them on our kitchen wall, that way I can see what’s been done for the day and it’s easier for me to change the tags daily. Eventually I would like to cut some vinyl names to go above, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

These were about as easy and cheap to make as you could imagine. All the paper was from my scrapbooking stash, and the hooks and frames were a minor expense. I’ll tell you how we decided to reward them in a later post, it’s a really fun idea, but eventually we would like to do bank accounts with allowance, spending money, tithing and college savings.

And that’s it. Cool huh.

So a small reminder, to VOTE FOR AMY!! It’s so easy to do, and tomorrow I will reward YOU with another creative idea. So check back soon, and vote, vote, vote!

♥ ♥ ♥

Comments

[Brandee]

This visual chore chart would be perfect for in my kids rooms to help them with getting ready in the mornings. Great idea:)

[A Facebook User]

I love this and I think it will work for me and my menopausal brain!
Keep up the good work....and 5 kids....are ya crazy? Bet it's fun in your house tho.

[Rachael Tippetts]

I happened upon your blog through a pinterest pin. Thank you for going through the effort to post your chore chart. It reminds me of what my mom had in place for a little while when I was a child. I thought it worked well for me. It was nice to see all of my cards turned over. Thank you for also posting the jobs you have for your children. It helps to know of the jobs that are similar and the ones that I hadn't thought about. Thanks for being a part of my village to help me raise my children! I wouldn't be able to do it on my own otherwise.

[Vicki D.]

Lady's dont let a few small minded people steal your joy. Let your creative talent's shine. There's never will. Unhappy people love the chance to steal your God given power. Enjoy yourself's.

[Kelly]

Thank you so much for this idea! I've been trying to come up with something for my preschooler, and this will be perfect using pictures along with the words for the chore cards. Thanks for your creativity - blessings!

[Babette Russell]

Hi, Amy and fellow readers. This is the first blog I've ever followed. The chart is just the answer to my prayers on how to do this tastefull, nice to look at, and motivating. Amy, I clicked on the site and it tells me there isn't such page. Do you know another way to assess or follow up w/sponsor and find out why this would be happening. Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for tomorrow.

[Jenna]

Any chance you would be willing to create more chore cards to sell!?? I'm completely serious -- I would be your first customer!

[Amy]

I did post the list of the chores in a Q&A post in October/2011 but I will defintely post them here too! Thank you for all your sweet comments, they really do mean a lot to me.

[Tracy]

Love this idea...thank you. I have been looking for a while now for something that will work with my boys. Hoping this will help.

[Tisha]

Could you give a list of Chores that you typed up for your kids? I need some ideas.....

[ashley]

I feel the need to leave this comment based on your opening paragraph :) I used ot love blogging about my life, and everything that goes on. It was my go to and something that was only mine. One day I received a VERY hateful comment ( I still don't know who from, but I can only imagine that it was from someone that I offended) and since that day I havent really blogged. I felt like my love for something got squashed that day and was ruined by their hatred haha... now I miss blogging and havent gotten back into it. I applaud you for your blog, and this great idea for a chore chart- I too will be using this so THANKS!

[diana]

super, i have been searching for something easy to do, since I need a little help from my guys and this would be the right tool for me! thx, diana
p.s.FB ACCOUNT?

[Michelle]

I LOVE this!!! I would like to start something with my two boys.. They are 4 and 5. I would only have one question.. Do you have a list of chores that you started with? I am still trying to come up with a list:)

[Jennifer]

LOVE it! I've done this same basic idea with halved envelopes and 3x5 cards, but nowhere near as visually appealing as yours and with items I probably have lying in a drawer somewhere! Not only TOTALLY ripping you off, but I'll completely link you on my blog eatingelephantswithjenny.blogspot.com!

[angie]

what an awesome idea! i love it! might just make one of these babies for my kiddos! thanks for the great idea!!

oh and i know your original post was over a year ago, but can you tell me your reward secret that you use?

thanks so much!

[SaraR]

I've never been here before, found you through IMK, but I want to come back! At the moment I need to go be mommy but I'm bookmarking. I love this chore chart idea. I don't have the wall space so I'll have to think of an alternative but you've got me thinking.

[Donette Bell]

very nice idea. Definitely want to do this one!

[Bridget]

I love this idea for my 3 boys....What size frames are these and do you have the printouts? Not that I can't make my own, just asking:-)

[Doreen Laurie]

Amy you are so darn creative and talented.
congrats on your new baby, Are your Mom and Dad out there right now?

Auntie Doreen

[Val Bailey]

You have my vote, and Taylor's too. We luv luv luv your blog and are so glad you're back. You have amazing ideas. Lots of love from Aunty Val xxx

[Autumn]

Well I have already voted multiple times 'cause I really do think you are the most creative mom. Keep those ideas flowing cause those of us less fortunate in the that department depend on you.

[Twink]

Hey, Missed you.. glad you are back, I too, say phewy to the mean bad people.... You got my vote .
I must say, we just brought out your button idea again. it was resting for awhile but Hayze thought it would be great to bring it out again. I love this new idea and I like the idea of motivational and inspirational added in the mix.
So glad your back.

[Kay]

Just in case you didn't know, I am also a lurker... I spent a whole day once reading all your previous entries. I admire your creativity and you've got my vote. I've missed you!

[Myril]

Amy, pooh-pooh on them. Jerky, lerkies. I was so excited to see you had a new post. I too like your blog as I am not creative at all and need some fun ideas to jazz up my life.

[amanda]

Love it. Nice to have you back again :D

[nikki]

Hey woman...nice to see you out of hiding! I've had horrible mean comments (and still do get them, but delete them) - don't let them get you down. Oh and I'm vote 34. :)

[lynn Crapo]

Oh shoot.. Just realized that I have to have a face book account to vote. Facebook against the rules at our house.

Oh well......just know I THINK you are the most creative mom ever! ; D

[lynn Crapo]

Oh my Gosh Amy! Had no idea about the loser comments you were getting. So sorry to hear.

So HAPPY you are back!

Voting for you would be an honor! Thanks for giving us the chance to do so! Hope you win!

[ana roat]

All I have to say is "phewey" to mean people...glad your moving on. Love the new chore board. My take...love notes, scripture and encouragement tags for my husband. He is just returning to work from a long surgery recovery. My board will hang from the mirror in our master bath where he can reflect (no pun intended) on what an awesome man he is. Thanks for just the right idea..looks like you go my vote kiddo!
A new stalker friend!

[Janet]

Sorry the mean people got you down. I actually stopped blogging for that very reason. But, I'm very glad you are back and can't wait for a bunch of cool projects! Off to vote....

[Natalie]

So happy to see a new creative post! I'm also a lurker and love your ideas and admire everything you do! Look forward to more posts this week!

[Janay]

Sweet post. LOVE the new chore idea. Stealing it like NOW. xoxo Voting commencing in T-minus 5 seconds...

[Kevyn]

VERY cute idea Amy. I really really like this one. I depend on creative moms like you, because I sort of 'borrow' the ideas and use them to make my WAY less creative daily life a little bit easier :) You can count on my vote!

[Jenn]

I am lurker here, I stumbled on your blog a few months ago and I LOVE how creative you are!! Your ideas are amazing!! I admit I have kept checking back here for updates!!