Chore System Ideas: The Chore Jar

     This has been, by far, the best chore solution I could find... Well, I didnt find it... I just got tired of the kids getting "bored" with their set chores everyday... Or if I asked them to help here or there they would snap back that it wasnt their chore... Then it hit me... They needed spontaneity with their chores... mystery if you will... So I wrote down all the "chores" on craft sticks I could think of that were age appropriate and put them in a mason jar. Each child gets to pick three at first. After they complete those they can pick as many as they want. It is simple, to the point, and they actually enjoy picking and getting it done. Give it a try. Its surprisingly simplistic. I am not sure what I will blog about next week, but until then BLESSINGS and PRAYERS for all of you! 

Chore system ideas: Responsibility Board

     I have found a chore system that is working... It is also tied into our daily schedule... Which I will admit took a backseat while I recovered from illness last week. There are two parts to my chore system as of right now. I am trying to get a reward system in place. This first part is taking a little getting used to, but we are sticking to it...Kinda started it at a bad time with mommy getting ill and all... :/ 

     Everyday the children have "responsibilities" which are really chores in my mind, but I didn't want them to associate prayer time as a chore so we call this time "responsibilities". I took a chalk board and wrote down all the responsibilities needed to be done in any given day... It is not set up with times and is very flexible  Each child's name is written on top. As the children do their task for the day they get to draw something within that space... hearts, smiles,  flowers etc. This would work as a sticker chart as well. At the end of the day I erase parts of the board I have to, quickly redraw the lines, and its ready for the next day. 

     
     Next week I will talk to you on how the actual chore system works.... We call it the Chore Jar and it is wonderful! Come back next week to find out. Until then God's grace and love be with you.

When To Rest

   

Well on the Mend- Arthur John Elsley

      I sit here on my couch sick... I have contracted some kind of throat infection... Needless to say, I am trying to rest as much as I can to get better.... I said trying ;)..... Ever been in that situation? I'm sure you've been sick, postpartum, hurt, or just plain tired. Well, here are a few steps to help you remember to rest.


1. Stay in your Pj's- This tells those around you that you are still off the clock.


2. Stay in your room- At least as much as possible... Daddy can take care of the kids, I promise ;) And if the bedroom isn't an option, vow to stay on the couch...

    I bet your wondering why I am telling you things you already know. ;) Well, because even though I knew it to it took someone telling me again for me to remember...

3. A noise maker in your room...-We have one for our baby to help her sleep, but man oh man does it help drown out the noise from other parts of the house. Homedics makes one you can usually get at Walmart.

And finally...

4. Respect Hubby- My husband was irritated and angry Sunday because the children were not used to the change in primary care giving. So I came down stairs to help him... That made it worse... I was undermining his abilities as a father... He flat out told me to go rest and that me being up was adding to his frustrations... ouch! He is a great father but I was telling him, with my actions, that he wasn't......

    Remember mamas.... You will do more for your family in the long run if you sit down and rest when your body is telling you to... Its better than ignoring your body and ending up with more problems or in the hospital... Be kind to yourself...Its one of your greatest investments. 

     Join me next week as I tell you about a chore system that is actually working in this house. :) Until then, May the Lord bless all of you this week!