Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Training, Responsibilities and Chores
Perhaps you saw my post on Saturday, August 18: Temporarily Under Construction:. Well, this was a timely topic for me to reflect on, as I have been pondering what to do about our chore scheduling!
I was asked by April at ElCloud Homeschool and El Cloud Homestead: Waiting on God to post about the Dixon Chore Schedule....
Now, which of the various ones I've had over the past 3 years do I tell about?? Or, maybe I'll tell you the truth: the fact that our chore schedule is presently in limbo and left up to "If it needs done, do it!".
About 3 years ago, I had a perfect school schedule and chore chart (it was called the Dixon Responsibility Chart). We worked them both diligently, and they worked nicely for that time in our home. The following year, we worked a more loosely-based homeschool schedule but with the same chart, and that worked well for that year. Since March, we have totally changed our homeschool lives, and I am trying to get back into some kind of schedule and choring. Things are getting done; I just want everyone to have a schedule and follow it, albeit loosely, if necessary.
For awhile there, the chart wasn't being followed, mainly because there were so many projects to complete with the animals and building that we were happy just to get the house picked up, meals made, eaten and cleaned up after. This was due partly to the fact that we spent about 2-3 weeks in the freezing barn stall with a sick goat, making sure the new kids were going to make it. Then, there were the 2 horse stalls I designed and we all spent about a week building...
At this time, the chart became more of a binding frustration when I'd come in tired from the barn or wake up late and still tired in the morning and see that things hadn't been checked off, so I stopped expecting them to be. I did not stop expecting things to be done. The girls and I had a little meeting, since they are the oldest and pull the most weight around here in the chore area, and I listed what *had* to be done. I expect the dishes to be done. Period. The food to be put away. Period. And the laundry and their bedrooms, as well as the floors picked-up and vacuumed. Those are my main issues when it comes to having chores done. The house can be completely sparkly-clean and a total disaster in about 5 minutes. This is usually thanks to our lovely little Master-of-Disaster himself, Caleb the 2yo. We are working on this. He is very inquisitive, and a very happy-bear, but we are working on this!
Our children are:
1dd17 2dd16 3dd13 4ds10
5dd7 6ds4 7ds2 LucyLillie, 4m
I am going to put next to the task the child/ren who usually handle that task. Any child older than the one specified can obviously do that task too.
So, chores we need done immediately:
*The diapers, washed and hung on the line
(1dd17 washes, any child down to 5dd7 hangs them- even 6ds4 gets them from the line)
*The dishes, as needed (1dd17-5dd7)
*Food put away (4ds10-5dd7)
Daily, but not immediately:
*The rest of the laundry (1dd17-2dd16)
Each child folds and put their own laundry away... even 6ds4. We have 7ds2 follow along with his own laundry, but 1dd17 folds it.
*Their bedrooms (each their own: Boys share a room, 1dd17/2dd16, 3dd13/5dd7)
*Floors picked-up and vacuumed (All pick up; and vacuum down to 6ds4)
Now, this does not look like too hefty of a chore chart for our large family.
But... I did not list all the other chores they do daily, mostly on their own:
*Make breakfast, lunch and dinner. (1dd17-3dd13; 4ds10/5dd7 do simple cooking like eggs, bacon, oatmeal)
*Gather any ripe vegetables from the garden (EVERYONE!)
*Feed the goats; (2dd16- 5dd7)
Milk the goats (2dd16-4ds10)
*Get fresh water for goats and horses (1dd17-5dd7)
*Feed the horses;
Shovel out the horse stalls (1dd17; sometimes with help)
*Move the goat tractor and (everyone)
put the goats out (2dd16-5dd7)
*Feed and water the chicks; (2dd16-5dd7)
Mix the goat feed and the chick feed (mom and 2dd16)
*check on the chicks about 3-4 times a day (3dd13-5dd7)
*Help with LucyLillie: (everyone)
change her diaper
play with her
rock her to sleep(Hannie is especially great at this)
*They also get to help wrangle Caleb, which is a formidable task and the reason he is, right now, in the backpack on my back!
*Feed the dogs;
Get the dog fresh water;
Take the dog out (3dd13/4ds10, and Littles help feed them)
They are also responsible to go chase the horses and goats if they happen to get out of the fence! I usually fly out the door to be in charge, especially if it's the horses, but for the most part, they can handle it. They do have to be told to weed the garden, but I expect them to all go out together at least 1-2x per week and spend 1 hour weeding it. (Oh, the horrors!)
Amanda and Jocelyn do the grocery shopping. I made up 4 different menu lists and accompanying grocery lists. Amanda selects one for the week, prints it off, and off to town they go. Eric mows the lawn, as per daddy's instructions, though several of us girls enjoy doing it, too.
I think it is of great importance to teach our children to run a household. It is also important to be efficient in this task. And, it should be learned by both boys and girls, even though, I think there is a distinction between what falls to whom in a marriage. Boys still need to know how to cook and do laundry, and take care of babies, just as girls need to take out the trash, mow the lawn, and change a tire. It sure is nice for a man to do such things for his woman, though. Like it's nice for a woman -and her children- to care for a household and have it clean and dinner ready when her husband comes home from work!
So, some of my philosophies on keeping a responsibility/task chart are:
*Training in Character is the main importance when you consider which tasks to do and to whom they are assigned. You will be able to use this as a time to assess the strengths and weaknesses in each child. If you homeschool, just consider it part of their learning. Character has to be learned first or you can forget the "teen years". Really... if you are so busy fighting with and re-training your young adults at that time, then you won't really be teaching homeschool anyway, and it will be terribly frustrating. Teach them responsibility while they are still young.
*Include every child. That means the littlest, if on your hip or in an Ergo or backpack... include them all in the chores. Your Littlest walker will love to pick up and put things away. Hey, they still think it's a fun game! Why not make it one? Why would you want to sit them in front of a video and learn that Momma does all the work? And, why would you want them to think they don't have responsibilities in their own home? You will just be re-training them later, when they want to watch movies and play outside, as they were trained. This will teach love, cooperation, concern for others, and a good work ethic.
*We don't call them chores... We started calling them Responsibilities. "Chores" give the negative connotation that it's just work to be done, when, if we believe it is a responsibility instead of a chore, we are more likely to want to do it. As Believers, doing things As unto the LORD may be hard work, but certainly not a job we don't want to do.
*Decide when and how you are going to it and stick with it. Give it a few weeks and modify it as needed. We have to be positive ourselves about keeping our home picked up. I am not always the best about putting things away, but I must do something right, because my children are pretty good workers.
*I got quite a few great tips on the Large Family Logistics site. The only thing is, that you have to do it for your family, not just because it works for another family. I think we think we need the latest gadget to help us do this or that, and if we just think about each child's personality, what needs to be done and how much time it will take, we can formulate a plan that we will be happy with.
*Just as in homeschooling: Don't let the plan run you. If you find one day it no longer fits, change it. there is no sense in feeling like you are bound to it.
*Your children come first. Yes, we must not do them a dis-service and let them run amuck, but we have to discern what needs our attention most. A spotless home at the expense of relationships is not a home; it's a clean house with a bunch of neat people (probably unhappy) living in it. Children are messy - don't expect them not to be.
* In the opposite corner, don't let your home become a total pig sty, either, under the guise of letting your children express their creativity or the excuses that you are too sick or whatever (I am saying this as a matter of a constant excuse, not a real one!). If you are never home to clean your house, don't leave. Just stay home until it is cleaned up. I am talking about the woman of the house who has a path made to get from room to room. Your children doing their chores is the least problem. You need to put yourself on a chore chart!
Now, lest you stop by and find out that my house is not always so spotless, and you think I think my children are perfect in every way.... read my post about our home being in desperate need of a good cleaning. All of these philosophies are my perfect, utopian-world philosophies. I mean, we have books strewn, laundry in baskets, children whining and all the same things you sometimes have. The key to all of this working is me.
Mom, you have to make it work. That's why I think it's more than just buying a chart or a book and following someone else's ideas. You know your household; this is just another way to implement what God has shown you and the different personalities to build your household on. It is a way you can train your children, daily, as you walk with them and talk with them.If you do not know your household well enough - well, shame on you! You need to stay home and participate! You will be pleasantly surprised on some days, and you will be frustrated on others. Stick with it. If all else fails, go outside and play for awhile. The housework will always be here, children grow up too fast!
blessings!
-Jacque
|
Post A Comment!
Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ElCloud |
The carnival is up! Thanks for entering it. :-)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ElCloud/376195/
April |
| Permanent Link |
Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ElCloud |
Thank you, Jacque. I appreciate you posting. I do need to give this more thought. I know I am not handing out enough responsibilities. I was waiting to discuss it all with DH, but he's been too busy. I guess I need to just bend my own mind to it, alone.
April |
| Permanent Link |
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Keepers at home |
| Posted by Ann |
| I just wondered if you've read "The Way Home" and "All The Way Home" by Mary Pride? I've got them both and find myself re-reading them from time to time, even though my days as a homeschool mom are passed. |
| Permanent Link |
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - ;) |
| Posted by FruitfulVineof7SoFar |
No, I have not read either of them, but I have read about them! I actually had *All The Way Home*o n my ebay want list for awhile!
Presently, I am reading For Instruction in Righteousness, HOWTA and I am going to be going over the Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up, making up schedules for Eric and Hannah to do.
blessings!
-Jacque
|
| Permanent Link |
|
Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ElCloud |
The carnival is up! Thanks for entering it. :-)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ElCloud/376195/
April |
| Permanent Link |
Monday, August 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by ElCloud |
Thank you, Jacque. I appreciate you posting. I do need to give this more thought. I know I am not handing out enough responsibilities. I was waiting to discuss it all with DH, but he's been too busy. I guess I need to just bend my own mind to it, alone.
April |
| Permanent Link |
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Keepers at home |
| Posted by Ann |
| I just wondered if you've read "The Way Home" and "All The Way Home" by Mary Pride? I've got them both and find myself re-reading them from time to time, even though my days as a homeschool mom are passed. |
| Permanent Link |
Thursday, August 23, 2007 - ;) |
| Posted by FruitfulVineof7SoFar |
No, I have not read either of them, but I have read about them! I actually had *All The Way Home*o n my ebay want list for awhile!
Presently, I am reading For Instruction in Righteousness, HOWTA and I am going to be going over the Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up, making up schedules for Eric and Hannah to do.
blessings!
-Jacque
|
| Permanent Link |
|
About Me
Recent Posts
• Saturday Psalm & Praise: Day of Rest
• To Everything There Is A Season
• VOTE for My Favorites in the Blog Awards... here's why:
• Untitled
• The Homesteading Carnival: Southern Sunsets Edition
• Saturday Psalm & Praise: What A Day That Will Be
• Homesteading Carnival #45
• Goat Kidding Time Again
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCYLILLIE!!
• For Sale: Books, CDs, Other - Oh, and Goats!
• The Homesteading Carnival: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM Edition
• We Had to Take Caleb to the Hospital...
• Moving: Don't Know When, Don't Know Where
• The 36th Homesteading Carnival: It's An Education Edition
• Murphy's Law of Pipes and Propane
• Contest for Comeback Kids Sports books ages 8-11
• Winter Reading Challenge; MamaArcher's Giveaway
• Are You Home-Schooling?
• Saturday Psalm & Praise: Psalm 121: 7,8
• GOOT Garlic Oil Salve for What Ails You
• The Homesteading Carnival #31 and Thank You
• The Mom Song and Lyrics
• Fruit of the Spirit Friday: Joy
• To Christmas or Not To Christmas?
• She Oughtta Be In Pictures!!
• A Blanket of Snow
• Heart of Wisdom Blog Contest: A Free Book Random Drawing
• The Homeschool Blog Awards Are Worth Your Time
• ON WT Breastfeeding A Newborn
• Just a Re-Cap of Our Way Too Busy Lives
• Saturday Psalm & Praise - Oh, How I Love Jesus
• Our Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Day
• What Exactly Is A Christian Homeschool Mom?
• Thankfulness, Gratitude, Gratefulness
• HSBA Nominations Are In
• Enter to Win Crocheted Snowflakes
• Homesteading Carnival #23
• Working on The Homesteading Carnival
• HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY RACHEL!
• It's October at Our Home
• Saturday Psalm & Praise: God is God is God
• Summer Homeschool - Gardening, A Photo Essay
• A Few Prayer Requests
• Matt's on Vacation.... Planning School and Other Odd Jobs
• The 18th Homesteading Carnival: Color Edition
• What We've Been Up To
• Homesteading Submissions Requested
• Southern Friends
• Quotables
• Welcome to the 17th Homesteading Carnival!
• Review The DaVinci Code Movie
• Teaching Children Responsibility at Home
• Saturday Psalm & Praise - Let's Just Praise the LORD - Simply
• Family and Genealogy Searches
• Silly Names and Stories
• Life This Past Week
• Blogger Hearts Training School - Assignment 1
• Saturday Psalm & Praise - Our Father Which Art in Heaven
• Spraying For Mosquitos
• Saturday Psalm & Praise-In The Garden
• Trying to Get Rid of Some Schtuff
• Book Lists To Participate In
• HURRY! This contest ends shortly!
• Homemade Dog Food
• Reminder: Submit your Homesteading posts to the Carnival!!
• Building Gates
• Genetically Modified Food Sources... Did that say chocolate?
• The 13th Carnival of Homesteading, a Contest, and Pioneering
• ON WT How Did The Pioneer Women Do All of This?
• Grocery Shopping Tuesday, etc.
• Seeking Rest in The Ancient Paths...
• Training, Responsibilities and Chores
• Temporarily Under Construction:
• Passing the Button to All of My Blog Girlfriends...
• Saturday Psalm & Praise -All of My Days
• Call for Submissions: THC #12
• HomeKeeping Tip - Clean Rooms?
• Zucchini - and the Dreaded Vine Borers
• Chickens and Goats
• Fun Toddler Tip
• The Homesteading Carnival #11 Newspaper Edition
• Summer Tips - Bee Stings
• Join Me for Saturday Psalm & Praise!
• ICK!
• There is a very cool giveaway over at The Cottage Porch!!!!
• Down in the Barn
• Cookies - A Moment in the Day of A Homeschool Mom
• Great Benefit Package for your Donation to Help the Cardwell's
• The 10th Homesteading Carnival is Up and Open at Pondering the Paths
• Life For The Moment
• Building our Chick Stall - Brooder Pen
• Saturday Psalm and Praise
• Our Trip to the Hospital
• Really Random Post
• NEW Homeschool Meme You Are Going To Want to Read and Do
• The Homesteading Carnival #8
• Just An Ordinary Sunday
• Organic Eating and Frugal Shopping Tips
• Our Plans Today
• Some Pregnancy Info and Links
Links
• Home
• View my profile
• Archives
• Email Me
|