I stumbled across this "game" a few years ago and it has really helped is with keeping the house clean and straight (at least for a couple of hours!LOL!)
On Saturday mornings, after breakfast, we all (including CP and Grandpa) sit down at the kitchen table and deal out "The Cleanup Game" cards. These cards are 3x5 cards cut in half (so they are 3x2.5) and each one has a chore written on it. Once all of the cards are dealt, we turn them over and trading ensues. If you got a chore you don't like, you can trade it with someone else. Grandpa tends to end up with all of the Vacuum cards (one for each room) and CP tends to end up with all of the Mop cards (one for each room). Once all the trading is done, it's time for EVERYONE to tackle their chores at the same time.
Sometimes, the kids like to pair up and work as a team. Sometimes all four of them will work together as a single team. Unfortunately, we've had to put a stop to this recently as they end up spending more time playing than cleaning!!
After the kids are done with their chores, I go and inspect and make sure they did the best THEY can do. Then they get paid.
Our chores mainly are common area chores like the living room, family room, pool area, kitchen, etc. We have recently added in special "girls" cards and "boys" cards. These cards include chores in their room (like put all toys away and make bed) and their bathroom (clean toilet and clean mirror). These cards get dealt only to the girls or to the boys and they can only trade between themselves.
The great thing about this is that we ALL WORK TOGETHER and what gets done each week is flexible by just adding/removing cards. We also have a couple of special cards: Free Time - which is always included and basically is a "pass" on a chore; Happy Birthday - which is specially dealt to the birthday person for that week.
The only catch is you have to keep an eye on the older kids and make sure they don't take advantage of the younger kids when they are trading - otherwise, it all works out pretty well.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46
1 comment:
Absolutely LOVE this idea! I'm going to try it.
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