Chores

Chores. Much needed, not much fun. We are all working to do better and have a joyful heart about it. Yes, even Daddy and Mama.

We believe children should have chores. Yes, our children start chores at a young age. Yes, we train them on how we want the chores done and what attitude we expect them done with.

Why?

"Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." Proverbs 13:4

"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty short cuts lead to poverty." Proverbs 21:5

"Do everything without complaining and arguing." Philippians 2:14

There are many more reasons why, but in a nutshell:

- We are all part of this family, we all make messes and should all help clean them up.

- Learning to work hard with something like chores is wonderful training for working hard later in life: A Job, Parenting, Creating and Maintaing a home

- We need to take care of what God has blessed us with

Here are Caleb and Caroline's chores. We do them after every meal, or when mama and daddy say to. We also expect the kids to help or do any other misc chores we ask of them. As Caleb and Caroline get older we will add more complex chores. We believe God will guide us on what age and what chores to give each child so that it will be a good training opportunity for them.

Caleb's Chores (5 years old)

**He knows all of his chores and just has to be told to do them. We do not supervise him as they are being done. We expect him to know what they are and how we want them done. We then check them when he is finished. Many times we will have to point out something that needs to be redone or that he missed. But Caleb likes to please and tries his best most times. He does still complain when asked to stop playing and do chores. We are working on this. Mama has this issue as well. I just complain to myself, so I feel his pain. =)

1. Take out bathroom garbage, Put in new bag
2. Recycling to bins in basement
3. Put own laundry away
4. Take all dirty laundry from upstairs to laundry room (this is everyones clothes not just his own)
5. Sweep under table after each meal (he has his own little broom and dustpan)
6. Set and Clear Table
7. Pick up toys in room, play room and living room (even if they are not his)
8. Anything else dad or mom ask him to do

Caroline's Chores (2 years old)

**She is still in major chore training mode. She is still learning how to do the chore. She also needs constant supervision or she stops her chore and starts playing. This is to be expected since she is 2, but we would like to see more chore independence by 3, with periodic checking and reminders to get on task. Caroline likes to clean because everyone else does and she likes to do what brother, daddy and mama do.

1. Put away silverware from dishwasher (not knives)
2. Wipe table and booster seat
3. Pick up toys from specified area that mom and dad ask (must be very specific about what toys and where you want them)
4. Help Caleb take dirty laundry to laundry room
5. Help dad and mom with their chores if asked to