I don't know about you, but some of my kids can get, um... sidetracked when it comes to chores. We have done various things over the years to keep them (and me) on track. Each year we streamline things to help us run the home more smoothly. These lanyards are one of our streamlining tricks. Last year we attached chore card pockets to lanyards, but that was too cumbersome and the cards kept getting lost.
This year, we have just one card. The front side is our children's Morning Routine. The backside is our kids' Evening Routine. The chore is in bold black, with the chore instruction underneath in regular type (so we can establish a common idea of what, say, a made bed really looks like).
We have attached a simple timer to each lanyard. At the beginning, we allow the kids to time themselves and "race" their own time until we have a reasonable length of time that each chore should take. Some kids will always be faster at chores than others. Some kids will naturally be too thorough or detailed. Others will skimp on what should be done or play instead. By racing their own time, our "slow pokes" aren't being compared to our "rabbits". During this time, we also inspect their chores to make sure they aren't playing and that their idea of "done" is the same as my idea of "done". This is a time of gracious training, especially if you haven't done this with your kids before or if you have allowed things to get a little too relaxed, if you know what I mean.
After we have established a reasonable amount of time for each child to finish their routine, we begin expecting them to use their timers to be good stewards of their time. This helps train them in personal responsibility and accountability. I do not plan on standing over my 42 and 46 year old sons making sure they are taking care of their responsibilities, so I need to start training them now to discipline themselves. Periodically, I check up on how things are going -- we wouldn't want any slackers, now would we? The idea is for them to learn to discipline themselves. By learning self-discipline now on chores, they will be well practiced later when the stakes are much higher than dirty laundry and toys.
So do you want to make one?
1. It's easy. All you need is:
A lanyard, a timer, a computer & printer (or really good handwriting), a laminator and a hole punch.
2. Sit down and brainstorm. Think of all the things you want your child to consistently do each morning and evening. This will be different in every home. Some things on ours include: make the bed, fix hair and face, get dressed, straighten bedroom, pet care, brush & floss teeth, Bible reading, household chores, etc.
3. Once you have your list, write out simple instructions for how you want your child to do each chore. If your child is a non-reader, use simple pictures. You will need to be much more personally involved in the how-to training of younger children. They are going to need to watch you do it at first, then gradually take over more of the chore with your direct oversight, help and encouragement.
4. Type your list and instructions into a fairly narrow card format (mine is about 2 1/2 - 3 inches wide), proof-read, and tweak until you like it. Make it pretty if you want -- mine is just no-frills functional.
5. Print and Cut Out. Otherwise your kiddo will be wearing an 8 1/2 X 11 inch card around his neck and that would be really dorky.
6. Laminate. The lamination is important. It greatly improves durability (They will be wearing this while they race around the house and perform front flips on the bed they are supposed to be making. What? Your kids don't do that?). Also, if your child STILL gets sidetracked or forgets parts of chores (like putting toothpaste on the toothbrush before brushing) you can use a sharpee to check off chores as they finish. Just spray with hairspray and the sharpee will rub right off.
6. Punch a hole in the top of the card and attach to the lanyard clip.
7. Attach timer to lanyard clip -- you can use a twist-tie if you need to.
Done! Now it's time to have a fun little party and hype it up.
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Let me just put a quick little tip in your ear -- no kid with red blood in his veins is going to want to do chores. It is up to you to make this something they are excited about.
I notice that my kids will hang out in their room after I do a big organization project in there. Deep down, they like it clean. I play up on that desire for a clean space. I also play to their love of games, and their love of fast. My kids know they are going to have to do chores every day but Sunday. Without a system, they are easily overwhelmed by the idea of chores. They will spin around in circles without getting anything done. But by giving them a system that gets them through their chores quickly in an organized way, I am helping them buy back their play/free time. I get them excited about a system that will help them get back to what they really want to be doing, and I try to make it a little bit more fun by making it fast and furious. And I remind them how great it will be when it's over and everything is clean. I can't speak for everyone, but this usually works in our home.
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Stay tuned -- I have really fun tutorial coming up for you later this week!
Have a great day!!
Angela
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