Family Service Update

Remember my post here about our family service system?

Well, I have to say the system is mostly working well! The boys are having great success accomplishing their daily jobs. There is still a bit of whining and grumbling on occasion, but it is slowly becoming habit. SO, I'm sticking with it!

As far as our plan for weekly jobs, well... I just didn't follow through with making it happen weekly. My excuse is that I got worn out instructing. Is there a limit to how much instructing one mom can do in one day?? Sometimes, it was easier for me to do the weekly jobs on my own (ugh!). Other times, we were so busy that the weekly cleaning task didn't get done. (Hence the dirty toilets!)

Remember this handy dandy pocket chart? Well, it was attached to the door to the garage with magnets. It just so happens that if the door is closed too swiftly, down goes the chart and all the little cards. SO, I needed to come up with a new plan for the cards. I was also tired of the bright red chart in our kitchen area.

Here is our new system:

 I bought an inexpensive magnetic dry erase board and hung it in the kitchen to the wall adjacent to the door to the garage. I attached magnets on the back of the chore cards. I only have the daily jobs on display (and left out some of the no-brainers that are already habits). I've been changing out the Bible verse, but this one has been up there a little bit for my own benefit. :) And lots of space to jot down grocery needs.

Here they are up close. Luke is tall enough now to rinse dishes in the sink and load them in the dishwasher. This is super helpful!

I've decided the weekly jobs don't need to be on display. I've made an envelope and tucked them away. When we have a cleaning afternoon (or if the boys are eager to earn money), I lay them out on the counter and they take turns choosing one to complete. This works well. Then they put their completed card in envelopes with their names. These are all located on the back of the pantry door.

So that's the story and update. If you have any great ideas, I'd love to hear about them. 

Any tips for keeping the house clean are greatly appreciated!