Rewards and chore charts

I am loving our new chore reward chart! It's only been three days that we've been using this new system, so talk to me in a month about longer-term effectiveness. I have to say, though, that last night's "Mommy, can I help with dinner?!" and "I have to find some clean socks so I can lay out tomorrow's clothes" were music to my ears. Did I say music? I meant the complete works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. This bodes very, very well.

Chore Chart.

The chore chart (even in my head when I say that, it's a tongue twister) has eight categories:

1. Using the bathroom alone (Bubs is capable of this, but loves mommy or daddy to help out. Mommy and daddy don't love this, however. We do still check him, but he takes care of the business.) 
2. Bubs gets a ten-minute warning when it's time to put toys away. 
3. Each day has a different cleaning chore assigned. (Sunday is a free day, what with being the Sabbath and all. I'm a big believer in a Sabbath day, no matter what your religious beliefs. A day that forces you to slow down and be mindful? We all need that.) The chores in this section are watering plants, helping with laundry, scrub cleaning, washing dishes, tidying up the bedroom, and vacuuming.
4. Feeding the dog
5. Having a helpful attitude. This especially applies to self-initiated helpful tasks, like unloading the milk delivery unprompted, or being particularly cheerful, polite, appreciative, charming, etc.
6. Helping with dinner
7. Doing the morning routine (see note)
8. Doing the bedtime routine (see note)

Note: One of my all-time favorite home organization bloggers, Jen Jones of iheartorganizing.blogspot.com, has made her morning and bedtime routine charts available for free download here. She also has an array of beautifully designed home organization printables for purchase in her etsy shop. Check her out!

Treasure Chest.

I've given Bubs a glimpse of the toy prizes I have in the treasure chest, in fact, he helped me pick them out in the store, so he's sure to like them. (All items were under $3--a ball, an eraser, silly putty, stickers, a wall clingy/crawler, pencil sharpener, etc.) I tried to collect items that weren't flimsy junk and that would encourage creative play and activities.

Reward Activity Cards. 

He also helped me come up with reward cards. Man, is he jonesing for the card that lets him be the boss for a half hour! I printed these cards, laminated them, cut them out, and keep them in an envelope attached to the bottom of the chart. The way I've arranged it, it's possible for Bubs to get a prize twice a week if he meets all the goals on the chart. He can choose a card or a toy.

The chart and the cards are available in .pdf format (you'll need Adobe Reader) for download under "Free Printables" in the side bar.

 

Just a word about reward systems in general.

Some approaches to parenting don't support the use of reward systems, in part because it creates the expectation of a reward for doing what should be done anyway. I believe in using rewards to set up good habits. When a kiddo can do these tasks independently and has internalized the rhythm, so-to-speak, rewards aren't needed anymore. Of course, as an ADDer, I know sometimes an "external brain" is needed to replace wonky executive functioning, so this type of approach might be a lifelong assist.