The Family Chore Chart
Okay, so that header may be a little bit like clickbait. Did I get your attention? Are you looking to create the perfect chore chart for your family?
Frankly, we all THINK there’s the perfect family chore chart out there that will solve all our problems. We dream of the perfect chart that our kids will stay EXCITED about, where we cross off the to-do list with a smile each time or where there’s no whining because everyone is so excited about the reward of finishing it.
Real life goes like this….
You’re frazzled and tired of trying to get your family to help out around the house. You start feeling like a nag about cleaning their room or taking out the garbage for the 20th time that day. You’re busy, they’re busy, everyone has a full plate with work, school, and other responsibilities BUT the house still needs looking after. After reading an article you saw on Pinterest you buy an expensive chore chart (or make one) and post it on the family bulletin board. You create a reward for completing all the tasks and everyone is pumped to get started with the new chore chart. The first week is awesome! Pat yourself on the back, you’ve totally GOT THIS. Give yourself the parent of the year award. Niiiiice.
Fast forward 2-3 months, and somehow you’re back to square one. What happened?! You’ve forgotten to update the chore chart after catching a cold, …you got out of the routine after that family vacation and things kind of fell apart. Life happens. You try another push to get the same excitement going, but you get a lackluster response from the family. Then you realize you feel like a broken record again. It’s Deja Vu!
Feeling like a failure
Here’s some validation….. you ARE NOT ALONE! I’m an organizer and coordinator as a profession and this has happened to me over and over again. I think it’s just human nature.
My kids are now 11 and 8 years old and we’ve been through at least 10+ chore charts since they started helping out and I think THAT’S OKAY. It took me a few years to realize that it’s okay that you can’t keep the momentum for one chore chart process going forever. It’s actually FUN to switch things up and try new things. Ultimately they’re still doing the same chores, but the process just changes.
Just think of it as a continual work-in-progress. Just like life….just like being a parent. We’re all a work in progress trying the best we can.
The perfect flexible plan, not the perfect chart
I know there’s not the perfect chart out there for my family, or at least not the perfect chart that’s going to last forever. Maybe I’ll find the perfect chart for the here and now though….and then it’ll change again. I’m okay with that.
What I’m trying to offer
If you haven’t done a quick search on Etsy.com with “Family Chore Chart” or “Chore Charts for Kids” you’re in for a real treat! There are literally thousands to choose from. I highly recommend this route rather than buying a physical product off Amazon.
The goal in my Etsy shop is to provide flexible, aesthetically pleasing, and dare I even say.. EXCITING .. chore charts. Since they’re digital files that you can download and then edit in Google Slides or PowerPoint and you have INSTANT access to them after purchasing. That way you can keep that momentum going after you get the inspiration.
I want these charts to last forever but like I’ve mentioned, there’s the human nature side of things. When I opened my store I kept my Etsy Chore Chart pricing on the low side with the intention of creating long-term repeat customers. When you’re on the hunt for another fun chore chart when the excitement wears off I’ve tried to provide a handful of low-cost options for the next phase.
- SOLO charts with variations of the same weekly and daily task charts. Everything for video gamers to the little princess in your family. Move from mermaids to unicorns to puppies in a year. Link to all chore charts
- FAMILY responsibility charts, with everyone on 1 or 2 printouts – Link to all chore charts
- Visual chart options with images of brooms, dusters, and garbage bags. https://www.etsy.com/listing/942822516/64-weekly-chore-cleaning-cards-editable
- Cleaning ZONE charts – great for families that rotate cleaning zones in the house https://www.etsy.com/listing/972992478/3-family-cleaning-zone-charts-editable
- Reward and Progress Charts
- HOW-TO Clean Cards
- Chore Wheels – coming soon!
Conclusion
Go easy on yourself, stay flexible and remember everything is a work in progress. Everything. There is no perfect chore chart that will last forever.
Schedules change, kids get older, responsibilities fluctuate. There is no perfect solution, but make a decision, jump in and be willing to adjust.
Enjoy the Journey!
Need some help creating your own chore chart? Check out my other article that will help you ask yourself the right questions: https://mindyanajones.com/how-to-create-a-chore-chart-for-kids/
