Hence, the development of the chore chart. Of course for anyone who cringes at the word CHORE, one could always rename the chart. Call them tasks, responsibilities, duties, jobs, expectations, goals, roles, or just a to-do list. You know, whatever warms your heart and gives you the fuzzies. We call them chores.
Initially, I planned to implement the standard sticker chart. I pulled out a poster board and made a list down the side, and left empty boxes where stickers could accumulate. It was nice for the first week, we definitely witnessed a positive change in behavior (less accidents, less fights over naptime, excitement over teeth brushing, etc).
But then that week ended and I didn't make the time to make up another chart. The stickers had also become a hassle, as I was finding them in other places any time the package wasn't secured to the very top shingle of the roof of the house. It was officially time for brainstorming. I needed a *reusable* chart. One that could be put within Fallon's view but outside of her reach. It also needed to be an all-in-one. No more searching the house for stickers and peeling them off the floor, refrigerator, table, wall, etc to put them on the chart.
One of the first ideas I happened across was this lovely pocket chart from Confessions of a Homeschooler.
I could definitely see this one work in a school setting, or a family of more than one child with at least one parent who stays home. Otherwise, it really seems a little too complicated and involved for my simplistic family. I also envisioned torn tickets, bent cards, or finding the less desirable chores under the couch while vacuuming.
The second idea I considered was the wooden chart from Super Saturday Crafts.
Definitely more attractive, in my opinion. I could possibly incorporate something like this into my household decor. I liked the more simplistic approach. However, it seems this chart may work better for the mom who has all her household tasks completed before the weekend comes so that she could devote a day to the construction of this little piece. Simple implementation, complicated initiation.
My third idea was a corkboard approach like the one from Tales of a Misguided Mommy.
Very similar to the wooden version, and definitely requires less artistic ability to put together. This idea was actually going to be what I went with...until I went shopping and realized how much it would cost to make a plain corkboard both attractive and functional as a chore chart. And then of course you have the threat of sharp objects.
Finally, I came up with an idea all of my own. With no blogs-of-strangers inspiration, I thought of the magnetic chore chart. I thought of it while shopping Hobby Lobby (my very first visit) and happened past a magnetic dry erase board. I bought it. And a sheet of magnetic backing, some foamy sparkly stars, days of the week magnets, and letters (from the scrapbooking section). Once home, I magnetized everything that wasn't already a magnet. Then I stuck them on the white board. Shazam. Fallon's chore chart was born.
The surrounding stars serve as "stickers"...that can be cleared at the end of each week back to surround the board...no more worries about where to mount a package of stickers to keep out of her reach! The chores are just cardstock on magnet strips that can be easily remade as chores change (or at least I hope using the potty will not be a chore as she's older). And because everything is a magnet, it's all removable so that the board could always revert back to it's original purpose...that of a dry erase board. We'll send it to college with her. Chore free.
So, each glittery star is worth a nickel. At the end of each week, we put 10% of what she earns into a giving jar, another 10% into a saving jar, and the rest into a spending jar.
Some other possible ways to duplicate my ingenuity...
- Most refrigerators are magnetic. Saves you about $15 right there not having to invest in the board.
- Cookie sheets are also typically magnetic (and not white, if you know, white offends you)
- I heard that there's such a thing as magnetized paint. You could paint a section of a wall with that stuff and not worry about mounting anything. Good for places with earthquakes.
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