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| click to enlarge & check out the chore breakdown |
Our struggles of responsibility, attitude, and appreciation hit a breaking point recently. I'm not saying my boys are rude rebellious trouble makers. For the record, they are fairly normal kids. C and I are just a little tired of repeating ourselves so they don't turn into kids (or adults) with the aforementioned problems.
We've had various responsibility systems over the last few years. Once our oldest reached a point of understanding, we began trying several options. From rewards to reprimands, we've worked to determine the best way to teach our children to do what's right with a positive attitude. A quarter a day (with jars for savings, spending, & giving) was one of my favorite ways of encouraging good behavior, so we've used that as our jumping point this time.
When completing our updated responsibility chart, we asked ourselves a few questions:
What do we want our children to learn?
The obvious answer is responsibility, but it's not the only one. We want them to grow to be independent, appreciative, and kind men. Having an ability to broaden their mind and continue improving their skills is also important. Teamwork and attitude cannot be forgotten either. There is also saving, earning what you receive, and giving with a joyful heart.
What can they do without (or with a little) assistance?
As the boys have grown, they are more able to help with various household chores. Taking the time to teach them the proper way to wipe down the table or wipe up the toothpaste from the bathroom sink will turn into one less task for mom and dad. We made a list of daily and weekly chores, as well as a monthly teamwork chore list that both of the boys could complete.
What type of rewards can we offer?
A quarter a day may not seem like a lot to an adult, but to a child it is a fortune. Especially when you have the ability to earn one for good behavior & attitude and another for completing your chores. At the end of the week we offer a "Hassle Free Week" 50 cents bonus! That's a potential (key word here) of $4 a week. Good grades (an A or 1) on a report card also earns 25 cents each. Add in goals achieved, such as learning to tie shoes OR completing a reading challenge, worth an additional 25 cents. If our boys feel the need to earn a little extra, they can ask for an unlisted chore. If that's not enough incentive, our boys each gain 5 minutes of video game time a day (the total amount earned is given at the week's end) when they complete the chore chart with a positive attitude!
How does it all come together?
Two chore lists, color coordination & indicators, name markers, marbles, marble and money jars, goals chart, video game chart, magnets, cardstock, printer, laminator, & dry erase markers.
We created laminated check lists of daily and weekly chores that can be marked on with a dry erase marker. One list is in yellow and the other in green. Each week, the boys will swap chore lists. Also on each list is "Be A Good Sport! Three strikes, you're out!" That's the behavior section of the chart. No expectations have changed, but they now have a visual reminder and a goal. The warnings have been given and it will be up to them if they want to earn their daily quarter. Eventually this will all become old hat and we won't need to remind them anymore.
Instead of giving them actual quarters every day, they'll receive marbles. Each marble is worth 25cents and collected in a plastic jar with their name on it. At the end of the week, they'll add them up and decide what amount they want to put where. The options are: In the bank (Save), spend on something special (Spend), give to a charity or church (Give), or save to buy Christmas presents for family members (Christmas). Then we will give them the amount of money they earned, or a ticket with the amount written on it, to place in each jar.
We've also created a goal chart for the boys to use with their "Spend" jar. They determine what they want to purchase and how much the item costs. They will need to do a little math to determine the current amount they have saved and what they need before they achieve their goal. Yeah, we are sneaky with the learning aspect.
There is also a laminated "Power Up" 7 star chart. Each hassle free day = 1 colored in star. At the end of the week they will receive 5 minutes of video game time for every colored in star. If all 7 stars are colored in, it also indicates a 50 cents bonus "Hassle Free Week!"
If the boys get in trouble at school, get a bad grade, or go beyond the behavior strikes, they can lose a marble that was previously earned that week. Our marble stash is fondly called the "Marble Bank & Collection Agency."
We created this new systems so C and I don't lose our marbles and since the boys earn marbles, we titled our new system "Don't Lose Your Marbles!" My fingers are crossed that the latest will work out for everyone.
Stampin' Out The Work Week Followers:
*Marina Mist and Pacific Point Cardstock were used to be an indicator of each child.*Chores lists were made with cardstock from the subtles collection.
*Use what colors suit your scheme or theme!
*Print your personal charts & goals. Use adhesive to adhere to cardstock. Laminate your charts. Local office or shipping stores will laminate items for you. Place adhesive backed magnet strips on the back. Post the charts to the fridge, the inside of your front door, or wherever works best for you!
*Decorate your jars, small buckets, wooden boxes, mugs, or whatever you have for marble storage. Use cardstock, vinyl, stickers, ribbon, or whatever suits your fancy! You can even use one container with dividers for your "banks."
*Don't have kids? Make a daily/weekly/monthly reminder list for yourself... "groceries, laundry, dishes, etc."
Enjoy stampin' out your work week!
Love this idea and what it is teaching your kids! :O)
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