Whistle While You Work...

In the interest of Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, I've decided to post the chore system that has been working for us for about a year now. I've struggled with keeping a system that works...both for me and the kiddos. I've tried to clean a different room from top to bottom each day, but I learned that I hate to get out the glass cleaner, wood cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and multi-purpose cleaner multiple times a week. I'd rather make my way around the house, cleaning windows one day, dusting wood another, and cleaning bathrooms another.

It also helps to have it all written down to hold myself accountable. And this way, I can say, "Time for chores" instead of, "vacuum your room, clean up the clutter, make your bed, empty the trash, etc."

I went around from room to room and wrote down everything that needed to be cleaned or maintained each week. Then, I divided these tasks into 6 days, taking Sunday off. Next, I color-coded tasks to make it easy for the kids to see what they are responsible for each day. Dutch needs to complete the green tasks, and Goober is responsible for blue. They need to work together for red tasks. Black is generally my responsibility, and Tootsie folds laundry and loves to clean windows:)

I had the lists laminated so chores can be checked off with a dry erase marker each day and then wiped clean. We tend to be more relaxed during the summer, but I know I'll appreciate this system as we start homeschooling this year. I need all the organization I can get!

Click on the image to see our chore system.*








*I do not have a super clean and tidy house. It's a work in progress. Some weeks, I don't get everything vacuumed. Some weeks, I scrub the toilets, but I skip the tubs. (gasp!) What's great, though, is that it's all written down so it's one less thing for me to try to remember! :)