Hey! I’ve decided to participate in something new today:
The Works-for-Me Wednesday blog carnival over on Rocks in My Dryer.
Seems like in the blogosphere I learn a lot more than I teach. But today I actually do have something to share that I’m kinda proud of:
Morning Chore Charts
After only a month of this school year, I was, as my dear (not-a-redneck) mother is fond of saying, “worn slick.”
No, I don’t know what that means.
But for this illustration, I’ve decided it means I was tired of nagging the kids (ages 10, 8, and 5) from the minute I got them up until we finally ran out the door to the truck. That was only about 40 minutes, but let me tell you, it was exhausting.
Every day as we backed out of the garage, I’d ask the final questions: Hannah, did you bring your lunch? Charlie, did you pack up your homework? Abby, do you have shoes on? And every day at least one of them (usually all of them) would shout “No!” and bolt inside.
Geez, I’d think, they take backpacks, homework, and shoes-for-goodness’-sake to school every day. When are they gonna do it without me walking them thru the same list step-by-agonizing-step?
Then the light bulb came on: I was expecting them to memorize a routine that had taken me YEARS and many mistakes to get. So I decided they needed a list.
That very day I sat down with Microsoft Word and created this:
You can tell I spent a lot of time on it, huh? Note the cute pictures – from Microsoft Word’s graphics library. I used pictures because our youngest, Abby, is just learning to read, and I was too lazy to create three different charts.
It really does work for me because:
- Now my nagging has only one topic: Did you check off your list? Much easier on my brain that early in the morning.
- It gives happy-go-lucky Charlie focus, which reduces my stress.
- It gives Hannah a clear goal and a deadline, which she loves. This actually reduces her stress.
- Abby likes the pictures and getting to practice her checkmarks. She’s easily entertained.
When I was done, I printed out three copies (and wrote their names at the top in fancy marker). Then I inserted them into plastic page protectors, because I had some in the house and therefore didn’t have to go anywhere or spend any money. We’ve found that regular dry-erase markers write and erase just fine on that surface. They check everything off every morning, then the next day we just erase and start over.
I hope this helps someone. Like I said, I’m pretty pleased with myself. And the kids might actually be getting more responsible. Score!
P.S. If you have MS Word and would like me to email you the chore chart, I’m happy to. Just leave a comment with your email address and I’ll get it to you as soon as I can.
12 responses so far ↓
1 The Apron Queen // Sep 24, 2008 at 12:34 am
I do something similiar with my kids. Except it’s lost at the moment. Guess I need to print another one! Thanks for the reminder. Makes morning so much easier.
Confessions of an Apron Queen
2 Blue Castle // Sep 24, 2008 at 12:34 am
This is a fantastic idea! I need to do this to save my sanity.
3 Stonefox // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:27 am
Steph, I would love for you to email me the chart! What a great idea! Thanks for being willing to share. stonefox@pobox.com
4 Amy // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:57 am
Love this… and I’m tucking it away for when my kids are a little bit bigger! Keep sharing these treasures!!!
5 Jerri // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Great idea, and you gotta love those page protectors!
6 Michelle Veach // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I’d been thinking about something to this effect – now I just need to do it!
After I decrapify the house to find the dry erase marker and a page protector!
7 Michelle Veach // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:50 pm
dumb question – is the toilet paper just to remind them to actually go???
8 faemom // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:19 pm
That’s a great idea! Those page protectors are better than me printing out a new list every week. Some people are so smart.
9 Gloria // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I see that it is time I enlighten you regarding the words
“worn slick” in Ozark speak.
Definition: exhausted, wiped out, pooped, drop dead tired.
Example of something worn slick…. a set of tires.
They have been totally used up just like my energy when I
I say I’m “worn slick” in non-redneck Ozarkian.
I hope that clears it up!
Love you,
Mom
10 Steph // Sep 24, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Great comments! Thank you everyone!
@Michelle,
And as for your question — the one who can’t be trusted to keep her shoes on also tends to “skip” the important potty stop on her way out the door. 
Good luck finding the necessary supplies.
@faemom,
I’m not that smart. just cheap. and lazy.
@Mom,
I love the “non-redneck Ozarkian”. That did need clarifying.
Thank you for the enlightening comment.
Steph
11 Bonnie Puhalla // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Hey Steph,
Puleeeeze email me a copy of this chart! I love it! Something about pictures and bright colors…I must have it.
See you tomorrow. Either coming or going down the road.
-Bonnie
the_puhallas@yahoo.com
12 Elizabeth // Sep 25, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I need this! Our morning routine has been hectic, and it’s the 6th week of school. I was so excited at the end when you offered to e-mail it to people. I had no idea how I was going to make one. Bless you! My e-mail is findinghimbigger@gmail.com
Leave a Comment