Chore Chart and Whatever Friday

How is it Friday again? Seriously? Another week is gone?

Next year I’m asking for more days in a week (preferably during the weekend) from Santa.

1. Um, next week is Valentine’s Day. I’ve been baking goodies for all of you but have not done anything for my family. #bestgetonthat

2. A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook about chore charts. This, in turn, ignited a huge debate about chore charts vs. allowance vs. family responsibility. Really, I just wanted ideas for how to get my kid to do her chores without nagging, yelling, or drinking (me).

That said, I do feel there are some chores (most, actually) that are just family responsibility. Hey, it’s my job to cook and clean, my husband pays the bills and mows the lawn. We don’t get paid for it. So I totally agree that Jordan should do chores just because she’s a member of the family.

However.

Jordan gets an allowance each week ($5). Right before I posted that status update, I realized, as my husband was paying her, that her room was a mess, the dog had been fed with much whining, and I couldn’t walk to my family room lamp because oh-the-crap. So…even though her allowance wasn’t tied to money…I really didn’t think she deserved getting any. So…in a roundabout way, allowance is tied to chores. If you don’t feel like doing your chores, I don’t feel like giving you my Starbucks Money.

So, I read through the posts and pinterest and came up with a chore chart for Jordan. One that is not tied to money…but she ain’t getting her money if all I have to do is nag her about chores. And guess what? So far, for the most part, it’s working!

I made this fast and on the cheap. All you need are index cards (I used colored, ones for daily chores and another color for occasional chores), clear contact paper, and a pocket chart. If you have a laminator you can use that, but contact paper works great.

I found this chore list and printed it out. I had Jordan go through and pick the things she already did and/or thought she could do. She highlighted pretty much the whole thing. Then I cut the index cards in half and wrote the chores on each one (multiples for chores she has to do every day, like feed the dog). She helped with this.

Then, cut a long piece of contact paper and remove the paper backing. Lay it on the table with the sticky side up. Place the index cards on the sticky side. Cut a second piece of contact paper, remove the backing and lay it, sticky side down, over the index cards. (I like to do this a little bit at a time – just remove a small amount of backing to start and unpeel as you stick it down, so it doesn’t bubble and wrinkle.)

Cut your cards out, place them in your pocket chart and you’re done! (I got my pocket chart at a local school supply store.) Each day she turns over the daily chores as she does them, and then checks to see if there are any “additional” chores, like empty the dishwasher or put away clothes (things she didn’t do before but does with minimal arguing now). She’s even cleaning her own bathroom on Saturdays. That, in itself, is priceless.

So…go make a chore chart. They work. 🙂

3. Oh, and I posted sugar this week.

 

Red Velvet Molten Lava Cupcakes
Chocolate Chip Palmiers (along with an Indoor French Picnic!)
Nutella Chocolate Pudding Cookies with Strawberry Hearts
Truffle Stuffed Brownie Pops

4. And, in case you missed it, I guest posted Mexican Chocolate Truffles over at The Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. #YUM.

5. I made Nikki’s BBQ Beef Taquitos for dinner. They were amazing! Go make them. DO IT. 😉

6. I got a new camera/laptop bag. More info coming soon!

7. Did you see my Red Velvet Pie Recipe over at the Marie Callender’s Blog? #doubleYUM

Okay, I have more to say (when don’t I?) but I reallllly need to go. T-7 days until Birthday & Party Week begins.

Have a wonderful Friday, and an even more wonderful weekend!

xo, D 🙂