I Stole Your Idea: Responsibility Jar
Monique | Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 2:00PM 
Confession: We suck at delegating tasks around the house, and we're no good at assigning chores either.
When I was younger I was raised with "I didn't have children so they could wash dishes", but booooooy - if my sister and I walked past dishes in the sink and didn't take the initiative to wash them? We got a pretty stern reprimanding. And understandably so {well, I get it now at least}, we shouldn't have left her to do everything.
My mom tried to implement chore charts, allowances, other rewards, but by then we were a lost cause and nothing stuck.
Christian and I have been trying to find a medium between "didn't have children to do chores" and "do all the chores", but we've had a difficult time of it.
Samara helped us out a ton when she visited this summer and introduced Caesar to the funtastic art of dish washing, which he totally thinks is the bees knees, and he has since begun to ask for more things to do around the house.
So Christian and I decided to try a chore chart. Then I discovered this gem: The Chore Jar.
I liked the idea of the jar better because the Minions were choosing their chores instead of being assigned them, and it allowed for less monotony of a chore routine. We're not big sticklers for routine anyway.
I also called it the "responsibility jar", because "chore" inspires thankless work to me. Using "responsibility" also places an importance on the activities listed, the Minions understand that while they have the option not to do the chore {they then lose out on a Kid Coupon of their choice at the end of the week}, that it's really important do it because it's part of our responsibility to family and our home.
I was going to do the popsicle sticks but decided the paper strips allowed for an easier transition when it was time to change up the chores, so I cut out simple strips in our favorite colors {except for the adults, ours are white, and yes we're also included} and even made up a few for Severus.
It took all of 15 minutes to cut them out and add the chores to the strips {I did write a list of those for reference the night beforehand}, popped them into a jar, threw in some torn streamers for decoration and to keep the chosen chore a surprise, and voila! All ready to go.
We haven't quite gotten into a groove yet, with school starting for Caesar today and Mercutio starting next week, we want to make sure they aren't too overwhelmed with school and home, and are taking our time - but we'll get there.
For now we've decided that they'll choose one responsibility a day {Christian and I will pick two or three}, except for Saturdays they'll choose two since Sundays will be a "Shirk Your Responsibilities" day {as much as possible, at least, I don't know when Christian and I don't have something to do}. We'll redeem the Kid Coupons they'll pick out on Saturday, and live the day as layabouts!
I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes, honestly. I hope it will inspire better habits than the ones I have, in our children, because in this department I am a horrible role model.
Caesar seems to love it the most - he's just dying to get his hands on his "wash dishes" strip. Mercutio will probably get used to it, and Severus just wants to pick out all the strips - but he did have to help me load the washer once and was in heaven.
It was so easy and fast to make, I can't complain so far, hopefully it changes the way we do things!
Reader Comments (9)
Wow, what a simple idea! Let us know how it goes once a routine is established, I think I might try it!
This is an awesome idea!
What an awesome and innovative idea.
Very cool :)
I love this idea. This is so easy, I can implement it in my home.
Love this idea! Super cute!
I love this!
Monique,
I love your blog and I love how you continue to move forward in your life. You are able to take anything and turn it into a positive. I nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award http://www.dadblunders.com/2012/09/10/versatile-blogger-award/
Aaron
Really cute idea. Curious to see how it goes.
You are SO creative!! I wish I was this creative!!