Chores times seven!

With a family of nine, cleaning is a constant battle. We do two loads of dishes, and three loads of laundry every day. We have a "put away whatever you get out" policy. It isn't always followed, but we try. I believe in teaching a work ethic. Everyone in the house has a responsibility to contribute to the upkeep of our home. As any mother knows, it's much easier (and done much better) when we just do the chores ourselves. But I think that is a disservice to our children. And so this is how it goes.

Every day at 5:30pm it's chore time. This ensures that the house is clean when dad get's home from work. If friends are at our house, they go home, or help clean. Everyone has three chores plus 10 minutes cleaning time in thier room and 10 articles of clothing to put away. The chores include things such as garbage, dishes, clearing the table, vaacuuming, bathrooms etc. Everyone has the same chores every day. I used to try and rotate every week, but it was too much brain power! Every school year we switch up the chore list. That way they have a whole year of experience and they really get quite good at it.

In addition to 5:30 chores they have evening chores. Dad has made a simple spread sheet that tells who makes dinner, does dinner dishes, or the evening laundry load. They look at the chart and see what they are on that night. Little kids are paired with big kids, which, in theory, means the younger ones learn from the older ones. (That doesn't always happen and occasionally a fight breaks out) But they all know what's expected and rarely complain.

Saturday chores are at noon every Saturday. Everyone must fold 5 pairs of thier own socks from the "sock basket" (this ensures no sock hunting in the mornings before school), they each have a ZONE in the basement to clean up, they each do a pot from the sink if there are any, and they have some type of yard work, usually a hoola hoop full of weeds, or 10 minute clean up in the back yard. Then they get to pick one set of chores from the list. For example "clean patio and landing" or "clean windows/mirrors and mate dark socks" Since they have the freedom to pick, those who start chores on time get to pick the easier ones, and those who slack end up filling up our green barrell (most hated Saturday chore) Then of course, regular chores at 5:30pm.

Amazingly this system really works. Oh sure, there is occasional grumbling, but for the most part things go smoothly. So if you ever want to see the Huston house clean, come by around 6pm, cause it doesn't last long!