Stepping it Up!

My big boy will be three in a month and I think it’s time to step it up a notch! Today, Liam officially began his weekly chore chart.  Liam loves helping and being given responsibility.  And if there is one valuable lesson I learned from teaching, it is to give children jobs so they feel invested in being a contributing member of the classroom (or in Liam’s case – the family).    I downloaded a simple chore chart from simplemom.net and purchased three glass jars to organize his weekly allowance.  Here are the chores that he will be expected to complete: sorting the silverware from the dishwasher sans sharp knives, setting the table, helping in the kitchen (dinner prep), helping with laundry, making his bed (really assisting me in doing this), picking up toys before bed time, taking out the trash (again, assisting me), dusting base boards along floor, and vacuuming the rug in his room.

I chose chores that I knew he’d be successful at and chores that will really help me out.  Some chores, like making his bed and picking up his toys, will be completed daily. Other chores such as vacuuming his rug and dusting will only be done a couple of times per week.  He is given a nickel for each chore he completes and we mark it off on his chore chart with a sticker.  Originally, I had planned on giving him his allowance at the end of the week.  But after he completed his first two chores today, he was so excited to get the money and put it into one of his money jars that I’ve decided to give him his allowance daily.  I think the immediate gratification is needed. Once he’s a bit older then I can hold off on the allowance until the end of the week.

As for his allowance, he has to divide it up among three jars:  SAVINGS, SPENDING, and TZEDAKAH (Hebrew for righteousness, but it is associated with charity and giving).   I love that we are teaching him about managing money at this age! And I think it is important to establish a habit of giving from early on.

So, yesterday Liam and I discussed his chore chart and allowance jars, and this morning Liam completed his first two chores: making his bed and sorting the silverware from the dishwasher.  Drum roll please……it was a success!  Liam LOVED completing his chores, getting his stickers, and putting his money into his jars.  Additionally, Liam only watched TV for 15 minutes this morning. The morning TV thing is something I really struggle with.  Liam wakes up around 6:30 am and doesn’t go to school until 9 am.  Our sprinklers go on in the morning so it is too wet outside to play, and I am always trying to get things organized in the morning – Joe out the door, breakfast made, lunch packed for Liam, etc.  Not to mention I have Marlo who needs to be fed (still at the boob).  I hate plopping him down in front of the TV, but it allows me time to get things done.  I am hoping that with the chore chart Liam will be busier in the morning, watch less TV, and actually help me out a bit.

Look at my cutie sorting silverware!

There are not too many days in which I feel like the super star mom, but today I do! Patting myself on the back!!

Any other moms out there have chore success stories or some helpful tips?  I really want to keep this project going!