After potty training, I have always felt like training kids to do chores consistently was one of the hardest and most painful processes of parenting. It’s so much easier to just do the work myself….but I don’t have time to do everything on my own and I recognize the value of teaching kids the life skills that they’ll need when they leave home.
Over the years, we have tried countless chore charts, incentive programs, and (I hate to admit it) both avoiding messes and yelling until jobs got done. Some methods worked for a while, and some methods were complete flops right off the bat.
My biggest issue with teaching my kids to help around the house is not teaching them the actual chores they need to do, but inspiring them to be self-motivated, goal-oriented individuals who see a need and know how to act on that need. Chores like dishes and laundry and bathroom cleaning are only the beginning. Not having to tell (and yell) every time the dishes need to be unloaded or homework needs to be done is one of MY goals.
I was recently introduced to GoalForIt.com, and enjoyed making a chore chart for AJ, my kindergartener son. When his oldest sister was his age, she was taking over lots of jobs around the house, but AJ is a typical youngest child and is still often treated (and acts) like a baby. He needs a little push.
What is Goalforit?
Goalforit is an online community of people committed to achieving success. They offer a variety of free tools to help people master the art of getting the right things done and bring more focus and personal success into everyday life.
Here’s what we came up with:
I love that it’s colorful. It’s cheap (actually it’s free – plus, no charts and stickers to keep buying!). It is a great visual reminder for AJ – and for me – as to how he’s doing. And because it’s easy for him to click on the spaces to add a virtual sticker, he is motivated to get things done so that he can check a new item off. We’ve got a long way to go…but he’s only in kindergarten, after all.
GoalForIt.com also has behavior charts, goal setting trackers, to-do lists, and tips and tricks to help any age make progress and gain success. I love it.
This post was sponsored by GoalForIt.com through BSM media. All thoughts are my own.
© 2011, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Thanks Lolli ? Another great idea to share with the families I work with! Always looking for ways to add positive reinforcemnt into our live!
Scott O.
http://www.ripnetwork.org (my real job LOL!)
So, would that work for potty training? Haha! We’re taking the leap next week and I’m scaaaaaaaared!