Using Index Cards for chores

When I was a stay at home mom, I handled the house and Kev handled the yard and cars. Even tho I was at home, I remembered having to help around the house when I was growing up. I wanted Arielle to be able to take care of herself if she needed to. I decided to give her some chores. I didn't think it was fair to just have index cards for her so I made them for all of us.



I started using index cards when Arielle was in kindergarten or First Grade.  They sat on the table next to our plates.

One of Kev's cards

I think it's funny that the only cards I could find were Kev's. This card was dirty so I erased the stains. The card read: *Everyone will help cook. *Everyone will help clean after meals until finished. *If you dirty a dish during the day it is your responsibly to see to it, it gets in the dishwasher. *Sweep *Mop

This card was from when Arielle was in the First through Third Grades. I can tell because it has a dishwasher. You may be thinking, that will take too long because they are too little to do that. And they want do it like I want it done.You are right. It does take longer. And do not resweep, remake the bed, etc.  (Talk about hard.) We had one of those little kid brooms for Arielle, and her bed had the covers crooked for awhile but she kept trying to get better without me redoing everything she did.

If you start a routine when they are young, then when they are older it is already part of the routine. Try to tell a teenager you have to help clean the table, make your bed, help with the laundry, you get the idea, if you have always done it for them.

As Arielle got older and our lives got busier we went in and out of being organized. Sometimes the house took a back seat to school, work, church and sports. Then I'd have a meltdown (yes she DID- Kev!!!) and we start again. Don't give up - PRAY, Pray some more, and then get up and try again.

We are not perfect. My daughter wanted me to start blogging because she thought that something I write may help people her age. I do hope this blog helps young families. Don't give up. Today your house may be a mess or you may be overwhelmed with everything. Try making index cards or your version of index cards. When we had foster girls I had a chart on the kitchen door. I will have to tell you about the chart another time.

Don't give up -  Get up and try again. Remember if you do everything when they are growing up you will be exhausted and they will not know how to boil water when they are on their own. (Better to be upset with you now, than when they are on their own.)

Have a Blessed Day,
Mama D

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.