How Can I Track What Chores My Kids Have Done?
Involving children in household chores is one of the best things you can do to help them be successful, self-sufficient adults. However, holding them actually accountable for those chores can straight up be an annoyance. You don’t want to have to follow them around, nagging them to make sure they get done.
There has to be a better way!
And there is. It’s called “chore tracking”!
Long gone are the days when people just had to tell their kids to do something and they did it. Or did that ever even happen? Anyway, let’s hop right into the best ways to ensure your kid has done their chores!
Related: Check out our Ultimate Guide to Chores for Kids
Why is Tracking Chores Important?
First off, to reap the full benefits of tracking chores, it’s important to keep on top of the chore chart you decide to use. If you don’t use them consistently, there’s no point in even using them. Here’s a few other reasons it’s important to track your kids’ chores:
Positive Self-Esteem
Did you know that doing chores consistently can help improve your self-esteem? It makes sense, too. It’s like when you clean the entire house and you just feel good! Even if you were dreading doing it, you feel a billion times better afterward.
Learning Consistency
Have you ever heard that consistency is more important than talent? It’s an invaluable skill, and your children will learn from a young age that if you’re consistent it will always pay off.
Improved Behavior
Chore charts are incredibly effective at helping children improve their behavior. They offer guidance and structure and can quickly help create positive change. It is a visual aid that ensures they aren’t forgetting anything, from brushing their teeth to washing their hands before they eat.
Tracks Rewards
Perhaps you’d like to give your child an allowance or a later bedtime if they finish their chores, accordingly. A surefire way that they complete their side of the deal and that they know you’re also being fair is with a chart that they have full access to.
How to Create a Chore List
There has to be some sort of logic or “why” behind the chore chart. It’s not about simply finding things to do around the house and assigning them to your kids. Ask yourself the following questions first:
What is the goal of this chart?
What is ideal setup based on your child’s personality and situation?
What are you willing to track?
Are you able to be consistent with this chore system?
What type of reward system will work for your child?
What type of reward system will work for you?
Are the chores age-appropriate?
How to Organize a Chore Chart Schedule
Now that you have a better idea of how to create a chore chart based on the information you just wrote down, your next question is which tasks you should include. Keep in mind that these should fall in line with the previous section.
Which chores should be done on a daily basis? Which can be left for just once a week? What times of day or night should they be performed? If your kids are in school, you likely don’t want to schedule chores for right when they come home. Give them some time to relax and unwind from the day and then they can do their chores.
Keep track of all this information, making sure that the chores make sense. For example, you likely aren’t going to have your child take a shower, get everything ready for bed, and then mow the lawn. It doesn’t logically make sense and it’s not going to be easy for your child to follow through with.
How Many Chores is Too Many for Children?
It’s important to remember that chores aren’t meant as a form of punishment. In fact, many studies recommend against it. You don’t want children to associate chores with negativity. This could make it more difficult for them to want to do chores, which can make it harder to be independent when they’re adults.
You don’t want chores to take up all of their free time, either. You can assign various chores in a day, but a good rule of thumb is to keep it under 30 minutes, in total.
How to Track Chores for Kids
When it comes to tracking chores, there are really two options: physical chore charts or a chore tracking app.
Physical Chore Tracking Charts
You may feel inclined to go for a physical chore chart that you can hang up on the wall or put on the refrigerator. If it’s located in an area that your family will see often and easily, they’re more likely to utilize it and so are you.
Things like stickers can make physical chore charts more engaging - especially for little ones. Magnets can also be a great alternative, as you don’t have to deal with stickers coming off or chalk/whiteboard erase markers accidentally creating a mess.
Digital Chore Tracking Apps
If your kids are older and seem to always be on their devices, why not go ahead and take things digital? There are tons of chore chart apps that make things seamless when it comes to organizing, tracking, and delegating, and you can check the app no matter where you are.
Family Daily is one of the best out there, and allows each user to add their own to-dos, view their assigned chores, and mark them as accomplished. You can even access chore charts through Google and Apple Calendar, so they’re all in one place and don’t conflict with any other plans.
