Chores for the Hygenically-Challenged

I don’t think hygenically is a word, but if you have boy children in your home, you know what I mean. Chores have always been part of my boys’ lives, at least as soon as they could walk. In toddlerhood, they were so enthusiastic, it was mesmerizing. “This is a sponge, Mommy!! Look what it can do!” Oh, if only that had lasted…

A couple of years ago, I created a Chore Bowl. Inside were folded pieces of paper with different chores of various degrees of time/effort required. It was a good system for a long while. The boys would have to complete a chore before they could have their 30 minutes of screen time. (We put the hammer down on screen time.) They are motivated to complete the chore to get that reward.

But in those couple of years, some chores have mysteriously disappeared from the bowl. Now all that remains is “Take out the recycling” and “Take out the compost”. Both admirably green and both a 1-2 minute task. Time for a change.

I am far from a clean-freak (sometimes I wish I was), but there is a point where the clutter and mess gets to my psyche and I end up cleaning for hours. It’s usually when company is coming, but don’t judge. It’s definitely not efficient and I am sometimes irrationally resentful. In reality, who else is really going to clean my house? All that ends with my new PLAN!

For each day of the week, there will be a room jar. Each jar will have a select number of chores, which will be done on that day. The theory is to focus on one room at a time, and weekly, so nothing gets completely out of control. Here’s the breakdown:

KITCHEN
Wipe down cabinets and refrigerator
Sweep floor
Clean island shelves
Take out recycling or compost
DINING ROOM
Clean table
Dust furniture
Vacuum floor
Clean-up Homework cabinet
FAMILY ROOM
Dust furniture
Vacuum floor
Clean under couch cushions
Clean glass door or windows
LIVING ROOM
Dust furniture
Vacuum floor
Clean coffee table
Claim any laundry and put away
HALF BATH
Clean sink
Clean toilet
Throw your laundry in washer
Sweep floor
BOYS BATH
Clean sinks
Clean toilet
Pick up floor
Clean out tub, any old bottles, and straighten linen closet
MUDROOM
Sweep floor
Straighten up shoes, coats, etc.
Clean shoe shelves

This leaves our bedroom, our bathroom and the office to me and my husband. The boys are responsible for cleaning their bedrooms once a day for their allowance. Ha! And yes, that’s probably another blog post for a later date.

So, what do you think of my plan? I think my 11-year-old and 8-year-old will be able to handle this breakdown of chores. I don’t think any one of them will take longer than 10 minutes, tops. And maybe, if all goes well, I might add 5 minutes to their screen time…
Cheers! -Cyn