I have been threatening to do a chore chart or list for such a long time. But just kept putting it off. Once in a while, I would get the kids to help around the house. But I never really stuck to it. My son, Mr. Minecraft or MM, claimed school was really hard, time-consuming, and he didn’t have the time to do extra work. And I bought that excuse…hook, line and sinker. And as for my daughter, the Princess, I just didn’t push too hard. On occasion, I would have her help me do something. But, again, I lacked consistency.

Well, my procrastination on this has come back to bite me big time. Now I am the one who pretty much does everything around the house. When summer started, I decided it was time to change all that. And frankly, I am tired of doing all of it. They definitely need to pull their own weight around here. So, I told MM that there was going to be a chore chart. After sharing some of my ideas about it, MM was not very enthusiastic. He claimed none of his friends were doing any chores like I described.

That didn’t sound right to me. I know his friends’ parents. I also know for sure those kids don’t get a completely free ride. Then I found out for sure. I happened to hear MM’s conversation with one of his friends. His friend said that he couldn’t stay and talk right then because he had to go home and clean the toilets. He said he would call MM later when he finished all of his chores.

MM looked at me and groaned. Yep, he was busted alright. “Well now,” I said, “isn’t that interesting? Your friend cleans the toilets. Hmmm…I really like that one.” MM was mortified. Later on, I found out that MM was right. His friends weren’t doing the chores I had talked about earlier. They were doing more! This included cleaning the whole bathroom and mopping floors to laundry and making meals. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Now I was really inspired!

And so, our chore chart was born (much to MM’s dismay). As I was working on it for him, he asked about his sister. What about her? Shouldn’t she be doing chores, too? And I had said that they both needed to do some work around the house. It’s only fair. And you know what, he was completely right. She needs to be treated just like he is. Most of the time she is, but sometimes I tend to give her an easier ride on things. But that won’t help her in the long run. Just because my daughter has a disability, doesn’t mean she can’t do things. The Princess certainly can and has shown that often. Plus, she can make a nice mess like no other. So it is time for her to get in there and do some work.

This has been quite an education on my part. I realized that I am not helping either one of them by doing everything. They need to contribute to our household. Sometimes, I get impatient and just want the task done, instead of waiting and letting them do it their own way. Patience is not a virtue of mine, but I am getting better at it.

Now that the chore charts are done, the kids are beginning to accept and follow them. The chores aren’t hard or complicated. Actually they are really rather easy. The best part is that they are honing their skills and learning a few new ones. It isn’t always smooth sailing but for the most part both of them are doing great.

Next up….summer/school work charts. Oh yea, they have been warned. I expect more groans and complaints, but it won’t be bad at all. And to make sure I don’t go chart crazy on everything, I have made them (and myself) a promise that this will be the last one. Well, maybe.