Z has been doing chores for a long time, but we about 6 weeks ago we finally got it onto a chart for him so he knows what to expect, and so I don't lose my ever loving mind nagging him to get his stuff done so we can get out the door (hm, note some annoyance there?).
Every morning, after we eat, I set an egg timer for 24 mintues and the kitchen timer for 25 minutes (that way he has a warning). We made a chart that goes on the fridge that has everything he needs to do in that time, or else he will lose his TV time (which really punished both of us). He has to get dressed, go potty, brush his teeth, get his shoes on, clear the breakfast table, and unload the dishwasher (the silverware and all the kid plates and cups). 25 minutes should be plenty of time for that, right?
Well, most days, yes it is. And he is so proud of himself when he gets it all done. "MOM! I beat it!" I love it because it allows him independence, and he can choose what to do when. Yesterday he walked around with his shirt and his shoes on, nothing else, and did the rest of his chores. He knows what has to be done, and he knows what will happen if he doesn't get them done.
However, 2 of the last 3 mornings he has not gotten his stuff done. He has dawdled around, messed with his brothers, annoyed me, disobeyed me, disrespected me, sat in time out, whined, gotten "hurt" as he played around, argued, complained, played with legos...you get the idea. I give him a few warnings and tell him to check the timer, but ultimately, it is his call. And he knows it. It drives me nuts, but I know we need to teach him this.
In the evening, we do something similar, but there is no chart, yet. He helps Nate clear the dinner table, gets on pjs, picks up the toys, and does whatever else we ask (maybe trash, maybe put some laundry away). If we have time, we can read or watch TV or he can wrestle with Nate. If not, well, it's bedtime. We are not as hard core at night, because we don't have to be (like in the morning, I need him to get in the habit of getting out the door on time).
We have considered giving him tokens of some sort if he gets his morning chores done on time, along with a morning and afternoon "attitude" token that he can turn in for snacks, TV, or computer time, instead of just assuming TV time with the morning chores. Will keep you posted as we adapt, but so far it has worked well.
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