I do. It seems like whatever solution I come up with, after a few months it fizzles and fades. And I find myself coming up with a new program, game, chart, etc.
So here is the newest one:
The Seven Minute Mix Up!
Basically, you put all the chores that need to be done on individual papers and put them in a bowl (mine being a mini baseball helmet that ice bream comes in).
(Sorry this pic is flipped. I swear I rotated it when I saved it)
Start with a clutter buster (all the junk is taken to where it needs to be). Then gather everyone around the bowl.
Now for the fun (and it is fun and my kids love doing it):
Set your timer for 7 minutes. Everyone starts. (One of the keys to this success is that I am a team with the littlest one, L) When the times goes off, if that job isn't finished, leave it. That job's paper goes back in the bowl. If the job is finished leave it out. (Originally I said rip it up, but then you couldn't play again without a lot of work)
Keep playing till all the jobs are done.
Now, kids need rewards and incentives. In my house we use a merit system, each merit worth ten cents. For each job completed they get 5 merits. If they finish on the first round, they get a bonus merit. We've never had a job that hasn't been finished in the first round. I go and inspect and they have the chance to fix it without penalty if they don't complain. :) We're able to get the whole house clean in under an hour and the kids love it.
To me, it is totally worth the money I pay them. They clean and don't complain. And we somehow have fun in the middle of it all.
I linked up here:
1 comment:
wow - I love this idea!!!! Will try it out on my Princess and Angel - and thank you - that has to be one of the nicest comments I've ever received. Tone
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