Children’s Chore Lists

The following is a guest post from Daisha, wife and homeschooling mom. 

I am not an organized person at all, but am trying! I started the chore card system with my son when he was about three or four years old and it has grown with him. (He’s nine now)

I started making lists. These lists has saved many fights and misunderstandings! It’s actually less about “list” and more about making life long habits.

In our home we have a four note cards taped to the bathroom mirror.

• morning
• daytime
• extra chore (one big thing each day)
• bed time list

These cards are also a reward system. (video games, computer time, and allowance.)

The key was sitting down with both parents and making the list and the rewards! I had to let go of ‘my way’ to do it and let him find his own way, as long as the goal is met! Allowance is based on their age and an item is added to the list every year on his birthday.

When the daytime list is done, he can pick a video game or movie or tv time. He knows that he should not even ask unless the lists are done! I don’t have to ask everyday if things are done and it has helped our relationship.

Before he could read we used pictures and magazine cut outs.

Sample Lists

Morning List (this has to be done before anything else can happen!)

• make bed
• eat a good breakfast
• brush teeth
• wash face
• get dressed (except on pj days)
• put laundry in basket

Extra Chore

• Monday~ clean off night stand and desk
• Tuesday~ pick up the bedroom floor
• Wednesday~ vacuum bedroom
• Thursday~pick up the closet
• Friday~ clean up bathroom (he has his own)
• Saturday~ mom or dad’s choice!

Daytime

• School
• Piano
• Guitar
• Read
• Dishwasher
• put away toys
• play outside
• put away clean laundry

Bedtime

• drink of water
• floss and brush teeth
• shower
• pj’s on

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