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Getting Housework on a Regular Schedule
Lifestyle & Fitness: Home & Garden

Why do you want to do this?

I want to do this to simplify my life. I feel like if there were a schedule going during the week, we could enjoy the weekends more. I also need to teach my boys about the responsibility of the housework. I think once they really start getting involved it in, then they will understand better why I can't always do everything they want to do because of all the housework that needs to get done. Don't think that I'm a neat freak - far from it. But, I just simply feel better in a clean house. I'm happier, and that translates to a happier family. You know the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". OK, it's not that bad, but as a family, we need to work on it!! The last reason is that if your life is too cluttered, it doesn't leave it 'open' for the new and better to enter in. Right now, my life is way too cluttered. I'm completely overwhelmed and need help from my whole clan.

What three things will you need to make this happen?

A schedule

Time

Family Assistance

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?

My schedule. Time. Family Assistance.

9/19/2011 3:02:13 PM

I have started this goal off by having a family meeting.  We made it separate from dinner time (where we're always together and talking about various things), so that it was seen as a "meeting" and something important.  I made up an agenda, and the 2nd thing on the agenda was Housework.  I found a spreadsheet on googledocs called Household Helps, or something like that and I adjusted it to fit our personal household needs.  There are minimal monetary amounts attached to each job.  And, yes, if I do the job, I get paid for it as well.  We've tried this once before.  It didn't work.  I'm hoping I will be more persistent with it this time around.

Homework topped the agenda.  So, I told the kids that as soon as homework is done, the TV does NOT go on until they complete some work on the Household Help List.  As it is, there are no video games allowed on weekdays anyway.  

Also, if we have a great day, where the kids get along, they completely their homework, and get some housework done, I will extend their bedtime about 15 minutes. 

I'm totally open to suggestions on how to make this all go more smoothly. 

9/21/2011 2:05:47 AM

 Loving your plan.  Great work Zin.  Hope you'll keep us posted on how it's working out.

10/24/2011 10:36:27 AM

Getting better.  It's a slow process getting everyone on board.  I keep reminding them about the chore chart, and it's mostly all stuff that anyone can pick up and do. 

1/3/2012 2:40:13 PM

I haven't updated this one in a while.  And, I've been a little slack in getting everybody motivated.  My chore chart will only work if I pay the kids.  I'm no aweful that I just finally paid everyone yesterday for September-December.  OMG. 

Anyway, what I hope will happen now is that they see how much can be made (when they saw what I paid myself) and that will motivate. 

Chore charts are made up for this week and next, and I hope to get on a real payment schedule of (at least) once a month. 

1/11/2012 8:30:14 AM

I determined this morning, if I can actually get out of bed early enough, I can get a TON done.  I got my whole kitchen clean this morning.  Awesome.  Maybe I need to adjust my daily schedule for morning cleaning (leaving me more time in the after work hours for my work outs.  Hmmm...

1/12/2012 7:47:20 AM

Got a big pile done this morning, too.  I'm on fire!

Also, my husband & I had to go to wake last night, so I had my older son wash the pots/pans from dinner so I didn't have to do it.  I'll get these kids trained yet...

2/4/2012 3:29:50 PM

 Hi zinful, I'm just looking at this goal. Your approach sounds interesting. 

Did your kids pick up more housework once they saw what you got paid? Are you continuing with the payments? Do you have weekly or monthly meetings to check-in and see how things are going and to do pay outs then? I hope you get a big wad of cash for cleaning the kitchen in the morning.

2/5/2012 8:41:04 AM

What I'm finding is that we try to have monthly family meetings - weekly is too much.  But, they now get paid weekly. 

Also, our family meetings aren't only about responsibilities and money.  We include making sure we plan family game nights and make fun plans for the month, too. 

3/11/2012 8:52:08 AM

I feel like this is a fluctuating goal.  Good weeks and bad weeks.  Spring is here, though, so it's time for a good week =)

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