Dave's had a monopoly on the computer as of late, since he's been doing SO much homework! But I have been working on some posts, and now I'm trying to catch up! So here we go! I was so excited for school to start, to get back on a structured schedule after moving. We've been trying to teach our kids responsibilty, and that each member of the family needs to do their part and pitch in. I thought it would be a good time to introduce chore charts for the kids. I found this in Family Fun (Oh, how I love that magazine/website...I give thanks to them for most of my creativity!), and adapted it to make it work for our kids. The link to that, if you're interested in making them is http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/make-a-job-chart-1022607/. I found and printed off black and white clip art of things the kids needed to do on a weekly or daily basis - homework/work book, practicing piano, making bed, getting ready, household responsibilities, etc. because they can't read very well yet. Then I had Emma help to color the pictures, and we laminated everything. We have the things they need to do every day (pick up toys, one chore we rotate out every week, getting ready), and the things they need to do once a week (like working out in the yard or helping to make a meal). Once they do their responsibility for that particular thing, they get to move the straw over from the "Do it" side to the "Done!" side. At the end of the day, the kids get a nickle or dime if they finish everything on their chart. I gave them clean baby food jars, we decorated them, and they became their little banks to collect their money in. We also keep tithing envelopes next to their change jars, so they can learn about and start to pay tithing. They have been so motivated and love doing this! Now instead of them begging for things at the store, we just tell them that they can use their own money or save up some of their money to get that sucker or the little toys they want. And I think they feel a sense of accomplishment because they can actually see what they've done in a day. Just wanted to share, incase anybody else is looking for a great job chart...
