Category Archives: kid’s chores

Chore Charts that Work and Teaching Kids to Do Laundry

October 15, 2010kid's chores, organizingKirsetin

The theme for this week has been getting organized with kids, probably because this stretch of sunny weather we’re having has made it feel like spring! On Monday, I posted about planning a menu for the entire month and on Wednesday, I posted about building your own lockers and how it helped my kids stay organized.

Today, I thought I’d focus a little more on the chore side of things, since, really, when kids learn to help out “around here,” we’re all a little happier (and more organized). And unless you have babies who aren’t walking yet, your kids aren’t too small to help!

For kids 3 and up
A couple of years ago, I posted about taming the morning chaos with kids. Maybe our morning just seemed chaotic because I was walking around but still asleep and hadn’t taught my 4-year old to clear his own place at the table, yet. But whatever the reason, creating a ‘Good Morning’ job chart helped tremendously, as did teaching my 4-year old to pour his own milk and cereal. If that seems crazy, try doing it yourself while nursing an infant. Amusing, if nothing else. They can do it, I promise!

For kids 9 and up
Teach your kids to do a load of laundry! Practice sorting with them, then print out step-by-step instructions on how to do a load of laundry in your machine. I laminated ours and thumb-tacked them in the laundry room. Oh, the joy, of saying, “Honey, would you please go get the jeans load and put it into the washing machine?”! It’s a dream.

For all kids
Chore charts were the bane of my existence. I could never find one that was easy to use AND worked for our family. Once, I tried printing them off of the computer each week based on what jobs we’d need done each day. It was a disaster! Finally, I decided to create a chore chart system that worked for us. That was years ago and it hasn’t let me down yet. The key is in the complete flexibility–you can tailor it not only to your family, but to each day.

You already know I covet Laura’s skills over at Organizing Junkie. Do you have other chore tips to share, or other great organizing blogs I should know about?

If You Find A Tiny Piece of Rotten Wood…

May 26, 2009cottage, hard work, home projects, kid's choresKirsetin

I took the day off from blogging yesterday, but Heather said what I would’ve said anyway. With two words, and two images, she said it all. Thanks, Heather.

And because I am a girl who likes to relax on her holidays, a girl who really believes in life balance and taking time off, I spent yesterday lounging by the pool, watching my kids frolic, and enjoying the frosty beverage in my hand. Ahhh, the peace.

Oh wait, no, that’s not right. What I meant was that I spent the day scraping and mixing and painting and sweating.

I did enjoy watching my kids, but they weren’t frolicking so much as moaning about the injustice of having to dig and pull weeds all afternoon.

At one point, my eldest claimed a stomachache. It’s fair to say that his paint-covered, suspicious parents didn’t show much empathy for the shirker. Get back to work, buddy, and here—take this barf bag with you, just in case. Funny how he recovered so quickly.

Since we were planning such a big workday yesterday, you might think we took it easy when my mom and dad came into town last week. Well, you’d think. Also, you might think we’d consider their long drive, that we’d wonder if they were tired, or wanted to do something fun. Or, you might think I’m the kind of daughter that says, “Hey dad, can you help me repair this tiny little rotten wood around our door frame?”

If you thought the latter, you’d be right.

And if you’ve ever had a tiny little rotten piece of wood around your door frame, you know the rest of the story, right? There is NEVER a tiny little rotten piece of wood. It’s ALWAYS hiding a bigger problem. My suggestion? Ignore it. Paint over it. Look the other way. But, dear Lord, don’t ask your dad to take it out, because you will end up with this.

And then this.

The good news is that in the end both the door frame and the paint job look good. But I am definitely ignoring that other tiny little piece of rotting wood. Definitely.

Happy New Year to Me OR Teach Your Kids To Do The Laundry

January 3, 2009chores, kid's chores, New Year, ParentingKirsetin

Washing Machine

1. Choose load size: small, medium, large or extra large.
2. Turn temperature to warm/cold.
3. Options: off/off
4. Choose agitate/spin Fabric Select:
• For loads with towels or jeans: high/high
• For loads with t-shirts, socks, shirts or boxers: high/low
5. Push round knob in. Turn to Normal (6 for smaller loads, 10 for bigger or dirtier loads). Pull knob out and water will start.
6. Add detergent to water. Low line for small loads, higher line for bigger loads.
7. Add clothes to water.
8. Close lid.

Dryer

1. Choose temperature.
• Loads with t-shirts, shirts, boxers, and socks: Medium
• Loads with towels or jeans: High
2. Wrinkle Shield: Off
3. End of Cycle: On (makes it buzz when it’s done)
4. Turn round knob to:
• Accudry Very Dry for loads with towels and jeans.
• Accudry Energy Preferred: for loads with t-shirts, boxers, regular shirts or socks.
5. Press On button (far right).

Why, oh why, you may wonder, am I typing up something I’ve already known for a bazillion years. And in such simplified terms. With so few options. Why, indeed?!

Because, my friends, it is a new year, and with a new year comes the wind of change. In this year, my 12-year old will make his own lunch, at least a few times a week, finally learn to hang his coat on the hook, and chip in by starting a load of laundry every now and then. With these few helpful hints, neatly laminated and hanging in the laundry room, he’ll no longer “forget how” to do it. It will be oh so clear. So very kind of me, don’t you think?

Now that’s what I call a Happy New Year.