Chore Charts and Lead Roles - WFMW

I am not a naturally organized person, like most others I need to work at it. Things do not automatically fall into place and left up to my own memory, appointments will be missed, bills forgotten and important tasks will never actually get done.

I found out a long time ago that to keep on top of having four kids, a husband that works shift work and a busy extra-curricular schedule needed a lot of planning so that I did not slowly go crazy! Lists are my friend, I have always loved making lists, but the basic list was not near good enough for trying to organize my week, so I started making chore charts. Don’t groan, these are not some hi-tec lists that are complicated and tell you what to do every moment of the day – these charts are guidelines of who is responsible for what and when. I found that if the kids were always responsible for the same thing, for an entire year or on a rotational basis, they were far less likely to argue, roll their eyes, make comments about how it is not their turn and other such complaints.

In our house I sit down every August and do up a chore chart, for both kids and adults, for the entire year, based on skill levels, ability, and typical commitments (like p/t jobs). Each person in our house has a “lead role” in at least one area, meaning they are responsible for making sure that job is getting done and being done well. I have the lead role in:

Indoor & Outdoor Cleaning
(supporting – kids)
Finances
(supporting – Jeremy)
Meals
(supporting – kids)
Children – schooling, activities, etc.
(supporting – Jeremy)

My children have both lead roles and supporting roles:

Brandon:

Lead Role - Snow removal
(supporting – Justin, dad)

Supporting Roles - Vehicle care, Home maintenance

Jesse:

Lead Roles:
Lawn care – weed whacking, mowing, fertilizing (supporting – Tia, mom)
Dog care
(supporting – Tia, Mom)

Supporting Roles - Vehicle care, Home maintenance

Justin:

Lead Roles:
Garbage and recycling
Downstairs pantry
(supporting – Tia, mom)

Supporting Roles - Snow removal, Vehicle care, Home maintenance

Tia:

Lead Role – Indoor plant care

Supporting Roles - Lawn care, Dog care, Downstairs pantry

This works for me!!

(If you have any questions or want further information about how this works for me – just let me know!)

Happy organizing!

Christine