DIY Christmas Countdown Fabric Chain

Count it down year after year with this DIY fabric countdown chain idea from Holly Ramer.  Holly shares her step by step instructions to create this as a Christmas countdown, you could do the same idea only for other celebration by using different theme fabrics such as Valentines day or Birthdays and so many more.

Click here to get your free downloadable instructions.  Happy Counting.

PS- you can begin a countdown when ever you choose - 25 days, 12, 10, 5 etc.

Mom Tip: No More Chore Nagging

MOM Tip: For many years now  I have used a kids " To Do List" for my children.  I daily place out a clipboard with a list of their To Do's.

It all began one night when I kept hearing myself say "Did you do your homework, did you brush your teeth, did you put away your laundry, did you practice piano, did you empty the dishwasher, did you, did you, did you" was all I could here myself saying to my then 3 children.  Then it hit me.  Stop saying it and create a to do list for them and then all I would need to say is "did you do your to do list?".  WOW how easy could it be?

The next day I created a Weekly To Do chart including all the things I used to Say "did you do"- everything from homework, packing bags for the next day, practicing piano to cleaning their rooms. My Nagging To Do's ceased.

Do you feel like your the Nagging  - did you do mom?

Pocket Chore Chart - Free Printables

Tired of nagging your kids to do their chores or as we call them in our home family responsibilities? Here is  a fun solution from Confessions of a Homeschooler - The Pocket Chore Chart.  This great idea is not only a solution to organizing your kids daily chores but also how to keep up on your reward system  with one simple pocket chart system.

Use these Free printables and a pocket wall chart to create this system and get your kids motivated to do their daily chores.

Click here for complete how to and your free printables.

Wondering what chores are appropriate for what ages?  Click here for our age appropriate chore list .

Free Printable Chore Jar Sticks

With kids back to their school desks and our homes getting back to schedules are you ready to get your kids back on the chore schedule?  Here is a fun chore jar idea using color coded sticks from Kirsten of Embellish which she shared over at Whatever Dee Dee Wants.    Click here for free printable and complete how to create your own chore jar with sticks.

“What chores do your kids do?”

Children’s Chores!?!

By Leslie Fetters

When did you first think about chores for your kids? Did you have a great plan from the time they were born and you implemented it perfectly? Or maybe it was quite different.  It was at a playgroup when another mom casually asked, “What chores do your kids do?”  Did you feel confused, frustrated, defensive or guilty? Often, we work so hard to make sure our kiddos are fed, bathed, clothed, at appointments on time and finish their homework that time for “their” chores seems impossible to find.   
Are any of the following your excuse:

    My kids are still too young for chores – Children are never too young to          understand that in a family, everyone helps out.  Toddlers can pick up toys, put    clothes in the hamper, turn the TV off, help set the table and turn on the dishwasher. Most bigger chores build upon a series of these baby steps anyway.

It’s just faster to do it myself – Probably true. And you do the job “right.” However, if you put some time into training them now, you’ll be rewarded with a child used to carrying his share of the household load. This will help when life inevitable gets moving faster and faster as the kids grow.

They already know how to do chores – Knowing how to do something is very different than being able to do something. Everything from sweeping to toilet cleaning to laundry takes some practice. Learning these skills at home from mom (or dad) better prepares them for living on their own some day.

I don’t need the help – You might not need those extra hands but instead of sparing them the effort, you’re denying them the opportunity to work for the good of the household.  It is that contribution that makes them feel needed and important to the strength of the family. Work with the team – win with the team!

These may be excuses you’ve used before.  But I encourage you to grab hold of a better vision for your family: one full of skilled, responsible members who can get the job done so there’s time for fun!

Tips for Delegating

By Trisha

When I think of my role as a mother and the many daily tasks to accomplish, I often wish I had eight arms like an octopus to assist me in my multitasking day. But you and I both know that isn’t possible, so how can I gain more arms and hands to help me and make the mom load easier?

The answer is to delegate. That’s right, delegate to our children. They are capable of helping out and taking on some of the family and home responsibilities.

Click here to read Trisha's tips to getting your family to help out around the house over at SC Johnson

Be sure to leave me a comment over at SC Johnson

*Each week Trisha Blogs on SC Johnson Family Economics website as a paid writer be sure to read her weekly

End The Chore Wars With The How To's

The three step plan to bring an end to Chore wars:

PLAN - PROCESS - PROBLEM SOLVING

PLAN

Step 1 - Create a list - of age appropriate chores. Click here for our list of chore ideas.

Step 2 - Tracking System - choose system that works for your family. You can create your own on computer or purchase one. There are a variety of ways and ideas from check off lists, wall charts, online chore charting systems etc.

PROCESS

Step 1 - Family Meeting- Get children involved in the process by allowing them to help choose their chores. Go over the chore charts or check off lists so they understand their responsibilities.

Step 2-Teach The How To's
- Have supplies available and at their reach.
- Model-show how to and don’t forget your attitude with your work load.
- Practice -Do it together-literally side by side training

Step 3 -Let Them Go.
- Encourage your child for a job well done when they complete a chore. Even if it is not done to your perfectionate way.
- When your child does their chores or additional helpful things on their own - make sure you tell them how much you appreciate it and what a great job they did etc. It will encourage them to continue to become more independent.

PROBLEM SOLVE

Step 1 - Make TIME for Chores - Make sure they have time to complete their chores by setting time aside each day or week to DO them.

Step 2 - Consequence - Make them clear, fair and consistent. If family responsibilities are not taken care of first then they lose a cherished privilege.

Step 3 - Rotate the TO DO list -Switch chores daily or weekly (makes it fair) and provides variety while teaches new skills.

Step 4 - Make it WORK- tweak the system - If your system is NOT working don’t feel like you are a failure mom in the chore wars, don’t quit--tweak it. Take time to evaluate what works and what isn’t working. Vacation, sport schedules, ages and stages and other changes requires flexibility.

For this mom it was wanting to end the “Did you do this? Did you do that” and not just their chores but brush their teeth, practice piano etc. so I began the check off list and it worked for us. I have even been known to take daily check off lists on vacation with me so they do their responsibilities of course tweaked a bit.

End result - Chores teach kids responsibility and that they are part of a family community its not about what system you use, if you pay or don’t pay it is about YOUR family and what works for you to bring a little less stress to your home each day.

Age appropriate chore list

Chores For Kids Of All Ages

Age appropriate chore list.

2-3 years old
Make bed- begin with pull up covers
Pick up toys and books- use bins, boxes or totes. (limit toys -limit mess)
Dusting- use old socks and allow them to dust along side you
Set out napkins for dinner
Unload dishwasher, their utensils/plates/bowls- have their items on low shelves/drawers

4-6 year old
Set table and clear off dishes
Empty dishwasher- plastics and silverware
Clean room/toys
Make bed
Pick up dirty laundry-use small laundry bags/basket
Put away clean clothes
Feed pet
Prepare simple meals, breakfast or lunch
Garbage collector- empty small garage baskets
Water plants

School age 7-11
Make lunches-/pack school lunch
Clean kitchen
Sweep/mop floors
Vacuum
Beginning laundry- sort and fold
Clean inside family car-remove trash and vacuum
Empty garbage
Pick up yard-weed, rake and/or sweep
Help with younger siblings
Wash sheets and make bed
Unload/put away groceries

Teens
Clean kitchen
Clean bathroom; sink, tub, toilet
Clean garage
Wash car
Wash windows
Mow grass
Cook simple meals
Laundry-collect, sort, wash and fold
Mop floors
Babysit younger siblings so mom and dad can have date night
Vacuum house
Ironing
Driving teens can begin to do grocery shopping
Clean out and organize their own closets and dressers
Take trash out - for garbage man

FREE My Job Chart For Kids Of All Ages

For years I have created chores charts on my computer for my children often wishing there was a simple and free site to create chore charts for my kids to save me time. Guess what I found? Do you want a hint?

Yep, I discovered 'My Job Chart" the simple free website that now creates online job charts for the Novotny team.

Not only can I customize each child's chart I can also choose a reward program for each child.

Some great benefits of My Job Chart to me as the mom are:
- No more wasting time and money on paper charts, sticker, posters etc.
- Fully customizable to meet the needs and abilities of each child.
- Ability to print out a reminder chart for each child to keep them aware of their jobs.
- Less hassel for me the mom, more time to FOCUS on kid's.

My Job Chart is a FREE online Chore Chart that teaches kids to work in a fun and productive way. Helping our children understand the benefit of consistent work and the value of a dollar is increasingly difficult in today’s world. Parents have tried everything from printable chore charts, stickers, reward cards, and posters but none seem to engage the interest of today’s children.

My Job Chart has found the solution. It’s simple, it’s fun, it’s ONLINE, and best of all it’s FREE! Our online chore chart system inspires and motivates kids to do their chores on time every time. Kids get excited when they see their points adding up and want to do more. The chore chart is completely customizable. You’re kids will finally be excited to do their chores. Give My Job Chart a try today!

Set up your FREE account today and discover the ease of this Job chart system. Click here to begin today.

Chore Charts For Kids

Looking for FUN resources to keep track of your kids chores and family responsibilities?.

We have created a list of resources of both FREE printable chore charts and chore charts that you can purchase.

FREE Chore Charts

Printable custom chore charts http://www.dltk-cards.com/chart/

Handi Points printable chore and behavior Charts http://www.handipoints.com/

Chore Charts http://www.chorecharts.com/

Dozen of FREE chore charts http://www.chorecharts.net/

Chart Jungle http://www.chartjungle.com/join.html

Chore Charts To Purchase:

Melissa and Doug Responsibility Chart

Help kids understand the concept of behavior and rewards. This entertaining, magnetic activities board feature the innovative combination of magnets and wood. Includes a dry-erase board and 134 magnets depicting behaviors and rewards. Measures 16" x 12" when closed; 16" x 24" when open.


The Board Dudes Chore Chart

The Board Dudes Magnetic Dry Erase Rewards Chore Chart helps keep the responsibilities around the house in check and up to date. This easy-to-read 11-x-14-inch chore chart provides columns for the days of the week and rows for the various chores around the house. Also featured is a hard plastic frame and a melamine surface for durability. This chart includes mounting hardware, one dry erase pen, and reward magnets.


Chore.Pad
This pads makes it easy to quickly assign chores and the thank you expressions remind you to say thank you in advance!


Helping Hands Chore Chart
Motivate kids to set goals and develop a sense of accomplishment. Easy to customize to each child. Charts include 100 sparkle star stickers for rewarding progress. 25 charts; 8 1/2" x 11".Ages: 4 +.



Fridgelife Magnets - Chore Magnets
Full of items that are playfully useful and usefully playful. Helpful reminder for kids' everyday chores. Put a few in place and keep track of chores at a glance. Magnets stick to any steel surface.



eeBoo Good Habits Chart
eeBoo's utterly original format is unique in the market. The Good Habits Job Chart is made of thick, durable board and covered with a laminated paper stock. Children can set the day of the week and by turning the wooden knobs, expose a word of praise for themselves after they have completed a "job." The chart comes with nine "jobs" and "words of encouragement" and comes with a sheet of stickers to personalize the chart if needed. Illustrated by children's book author and illustrator, Julia Gorton. For Ages 5+


I Can Do IT
The I Can Do It! reward chart is a great way for children to focus on attaining specific goals. Your child can set weekly goals for how many stars he wants to earn during the week. He must focus on earning stars for various goals daily. At the end of the week you and your child can count the stars together and see if he has reached his goal for the week! Parents and children can choose up to five goals. There are also ten blank cards so you can write individualized goals or rewards. Goal Cards include: Eat my vegetables Brush my teeth Pick up my toys Be polite Go to bed on time Share with others Be a good listener Make my bed Help around the house Do my homework 5 blank cards Reward Cards include: Treats Extra bedtime story Ice cream New book Extra play time Movie Invite a friend to play Pizza party Family outing Allowance 5 blank cards The durable reward chart features velcro blue stars to use when your child has obtained the goal.



Almas Responsibility Chore Chart
My Responsibility Chart is a decorative wall hanging for a child's room or general family area. It introduces children to doing tasks like clean room, help parents, brush teeth, take a bath, and many more. This comes complete with icons for results and daily awards. It motivates children to do chores and tasks. Parents and children have fun evaluating how the tasks were done.

3 P’s of KIDS and CHORES

Looking for the how to's of creating a chore plan in your home ? Look no further we have the How to's from the 24/7 MOMS Live Web Cast 7/7/2009. PLAN - PROCESS - PROBLEM SOLVING

PLAN

Step 1 - Create a list - of age appropriate chores. Click here for our list of chore ideas.

Step 2 - Tracking System - choose system that works for your family. You can create your own on computer or purchase one. There are a variety of ways and ideas from check off lists, wall charts, online chore charting systems etc.

PROCESS

Step 1 - Family Meeting- Get children involved in the process by allowing them to help choose their chores. Go over the chore charts or check off lists so they understand their responsibilities.

Step 2-Teach The How To's
- Have supplies available and at their reach.
- Model-show how to and don’t forget your attitude with your work load.
- Practice -Do it together-literally side by side training

Step 3 -Let Them Go.
- Encourage your child for a job well done when they complete a chore. Even if it is not done to your perfectionate way.
- When your child does their chores or additional helpful things on their own - make sure you tell them how much you appreciate it and what a great job they did etc. It will encourage them to continue to become more independent.

PROBLEM SOLVE

Step 1 - Make TIME for Chores - Make sure they have time to complete their chores by setting time aside each day or week to DO them.

Step 2 - Consequence - Make them clear, fair and consistent. If family responsibilities are not taken care of first they lose a cherished privilege.

Step 3 - Rotate the TO DO list -Switch chores daily or weekly (makes it fair) and provides variety while teaches new skills.

Step 4 - Make it WORK- tweak the system - If your system is NOT working don’t feel like you are a failure mom in the chore wars, don’t quit--tweak it. Take time to evaluate what works and what isn’t working. Vacation, sport schedules, ages and stages and other changes requires flexibility.

For this mom it was wanting to end the “Did you do this? Did you do that” and not just their chores but brush their teeth, practice piano etc. so I began the check off list and it worked for us. I have even been known to take daily check off lists on vacation with me so they do their responsibilities of course tweaked a bit.

End result - Chores teach kids responsibility and that they are part of a family community its not about what system you use, if you pay or don’t pay it is about YOUR family and what works for you to bring a little less stress to your home each day.

Chores For Kids Of All Ages

Age appropriate chore list.

2-3 years old
Make bed- begin with pull up covers
Pick up toys and books- use bins, boxes or totes. (limit toys -limit mess)
Dusting- use old socks and allow them to dust along side you
Set out napkins for dinner
Unload dishwasher, their utensils/plates/bowls- have their items on low shelves/drawers

4-6 year old
Set table and clear off dishes
Empty dishwasher- plastics and silverware
Clean room/toys
Make bed
Pick up dirty laundry-use small laundry bags/basket
Put away clean clothes
Feed pet
Prepare simple meals, breakfast or lunch
Garbage collector- empty small garage baskets
Water plants

School age 7-11
Make lunches-/pack school lunch
Clean kitchen
Sweep/mop floors
Vacuum
Beginning laundry- sort and fold
Clean inside family car-remove trash and vacuum
Empty garbage
Pick up yard-weed, rake and/or sweep
Help with younger siblings
Wash sheets and make bed
Unload/put away groceries

Teens
Clean kitchen
Clean bathroom; sink, tub, toilet
Clean garage
Wash car
Wash windows
Mow grass
Cook simple meals
Laundry-collect, sort, wash and fold
Mop floors
Babysit younger siblings so mom and dad can have date night
Vacuum house
Ironing
Driving teens can begin to do grocery shopping
Clean out and organize their own closets and dressers
Take trash out - for garbage man

From the 24/7 MOMS Live web Cast on 7/7/09