Spring Cleaning: Redoing Chore Lists

Part of our Spring and Fall Cleaning is redoing chore lists. This allows the children to rotate chores they aren't particularly fond of, to make adjustments for schedules, as well as adjustments for increased abilites (for instance, this time around, our two year old, Roan, has one daily chore, picking up toys, and one weekly chore, making sure all assorted shoes scattered about the house make it to the shoe bin).

Now I have yet to find a chore system that really works smoothly for us. Oh sure, most chores get done, but some always fall to the wayside and in general it's a hot button issue around here. So I have yet again come up with some different chore sheets, that require each chore to be checked off. Checking something without actually doing it results in punishment. Not checking when it's not done results in punishment. Not checking when it IS done results in "Please remember to check these off" discussion. Then twice a day (the kids have AM and PM chores) I can go through and check to make sure it's done.

I did things a little differently this time. I made a master list, room by room, divided by Daily, Weekly, and Monthly. I also included DH on the chore list-even though he's working, he can take out the trash and deal with the yard. And if it's on a list he will remember to do it. Once I get the master list done, I sit down and assign chores. I used to have the kids volunteer, but the harder or ickier chores always got left to me. Not that I mind doing my share of the work, I mean, that's my job, but I do need some help with more time consuming stuff. The master list seems long, but I have broken down things like "Clean Bathroom" and "Clean Bedroom" into specific tasks, as the middles are always asking "What should I do next?" Once chores are assigned, I create individual daily, weekly and monthly chore lists. Each month I print new ones. Chore lists are stored in a notebook with dividers so each person can get to their list every day (they quickly get memorized, so all they usually need to do is check them off when they're done).

So today I will include the Master List. You'll see "Food Assignment 1, 2, 3, 4" on there. What that is, is food prep stuff that isn't needed for the next few days' meals, such as making biscuit mix or gatorade mix, cooking bulk chicken broth or baking treats for summer when it's too hot to bake. I try to fill the freezer with cookies and muffins and cupcakes-supplemented with no bake treats, so that we don't have to "buy" treats and snacks.

Over the next several days I will post the actual chore lists-they aren't completely done yet and I'm also working on next month's menus.

Once A Day

Dining Room

Fold Laundry

Wash/Dry Laundry

Wash/Dry Laundry

Wash/Dry Laundry

Wash/Dry Laundry

Kitchen

Load and Start Dishwasher

Load and Start Dishwasher

Load and Start Dishwasher (as needed)

One Prep Item

Take Tomorrow’s Food out to thaw

Veggies out to thaw or chop fresh

Dinner

Fix Breakfast

Pack Lunches

Wipe Down Counters and Sink

Feed Sourdough Starter

Wipe Down Stove

Take Out Trash (AM)

Sweep (AM)

Sweep (PM)

Unload Dishwasher (AM)

Unload Dishwasher (PM)

Make Ice

Living Room

Febreeze Furniture and Drapes

Pick up Toys (AM)

Pick up Toys (PM)

Sweep (AM)

Sweep (PM)

Clean Off Kids’ Table After Breakfast

Clean Off Kids’ Table After Lunch

Clean Off Kids’ Table After Dinner

Hallways

Pick up and Sweep Main Walkway

Feed and Water Kayla (AM)

Feed and Water Kayla (PM)

Mom and Dad’s Room

Febreeze Furniture, Closet and Drapes

Pick up dirty clothes

Put Away Dad’s Clean Clothes

Put Away Mom’s Clean Clothes

Put Away Aria’s Clean Clothes

Bathroom

Lysol

Clean Sink

Dump Trash

Straighten Vanity

Pick Up Towels, Rags, Clothes etc from floor

Girls’ Room

Febreeze Furniture, Closet and Drapes

Make Aimee’s Bed

Put Aimee’s Laundry In Basket

Make Nikki’s Bed

Put Nikki’s Laundry In Basket

5 Minute Room Pick Up Aimee

5 Minute Room Pick Up Nikki

Put Away Aimee’s Clean Clothes

Put Away Nikki’s Clean Clothes

Boys’ Room

Febreeze Furniture, Closet and Drapes

Make Saren’s Bed

Saren’s Laundry In Basket

5 Minute Room Pickup

Put Away Saren’s Clean Clothes

Put Away Roan’s Clean Clothes

Also, a note on our dining room...because we're in an apartment, we have an apartment sized portable washer and dryer, located in there. Also in there are our chest freezer, our second refrigerator, a hoosier and several bins of clothes. There is a hanging rack and an aisle down the middle. It's essentially an all purpose room. So that's why laundry is assigned there. The washer is moved into the kitchen for use but most other laundry chores are done in the DR.

Click here for once a week master list
Click here for once a month master list