Summer Chores and Schedules

Every summer, I try to dream up new ways to keep chores and routines fun and exciting for my kids. I have found that creating a very loose schedule helps all of us to feel better and stay more active. So, when summertime rolls around each year, I try to craft a routine for us that fosters age-appropriate chores, learning, flexibility, and plenty of room for fun.

This year, I knew I wanted to include two things in my summer routine. I wanted the kids to start earning and managing allowance (I’ll do an entire blog post about how we use allowance in our family soon) and I wanted them to take some responsibility for their summer activities and chores. When they were young, the schedule and expectations I set were non-negotiable, but as they get older, I want them to take some ownership over their tasks so that they start to learn how to manage their time better. This is mostly done through rewards and consequences at their ages (rising 4th and 6th graders).

Here is the schedule that I made the kids. Each one has their own custom schedule with their own custom chores. Mostly, they do the same chores, but on different days. I find this helps curb arguments if they are working on two totally different tasks.

You can see that during time blocks, they have certain tasks and chores to complete. It’s up to them when during that time block they do the chores and in which order. I don’t really care as long as the list is accomplished.

Every night, the kids bring their schedule to me or Chris for us to sign off on their days. It is their responsibility to bring the sheet to us. We reminded them the first week we implemented this system, but after that, it’s up to them. They are pretty good about reminding each other, though, and Michael finally got smart last week and set an Alexa alert on his Echo. See? Learning time management skills!

Chris and I sign the bottom of their schedules each day IF the kids have accomplished all of their tasks and IF Chris and I feel like they have had a pretty good day. We usually sign off pretty easily, but we’ve withheld signatures before for bickering all day long or not completing chores throughout the day.

We use these schedules Monday-Friday, so the kids have an opportunity to collect five signatures. On Saturdays, we pay out allowance and they get $2 for each signature, for a possible total of $10 each. We make them put 10% into savings right now (which are little envelopes that I keep for them), and when our church resumes, we will also have them hold out a 10% tithe to give to the church.

On days when we aren’t home most of the day or when our schedule is messed up with activities or things that have come up unexpectedly (which isn’t often these days…), we excuse their chores and sign their sheet anyway. It is summer, after all!

It’s been a great system for us so far. It keeps the kids busy, active, and responsible, while teaching skills like time and money management. Lessons that are well worth $20 a week, in my opinion…