• Books
    • Chaos to Clutter-Free
    • 101 Time-Saving Tips for Busy Moms
    • 28 Days to Timeliness
  • Start Here
  • Sign Up

Davonne Parks

  • Room by Room Organization
    • Bed and Bath
    • Kid Spaces
    • Kitchen
    • Laundry
    • Living & Family Areas
    • Office and Art
    • Storage and Outdoors
  • Cleaning Inspiration
    • Homemaking Encouragement
    • Cleaning Tips and Tricks
    • My Fixer Upper
    • My Messes (Before & After)
    • Reader Q & A
  • Home Management
    • Crafts and Decor
    • Easy Recipes
    • Finances
    • Holidays
      • New Years
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Time Management 101
  • Self Care
    • Book Recommendations
    • How to Care for Yourself
  • Caring for Others
    • Friendship
    • Jesus
    • Parenting
    • Marriage

Why I Hated Chore Charts, Plus a FREE Printable

Cleaning Encouragement· Kid Spaces

29 Apr

I stare at my taunting list, acutely aware of the many items not crossed off. Deeply defeated, I sink into a chair, head in hands on the cold table, and wonder why I can’t get it together. After several minutes of silent self-criticism, I slowly pull my weary body up so I can go climb into bed, too discouraged to put forth any more effort.

After repeating the above scenario more times than I can count, I decided that chore charts and lengthy to-do lists simply weren’t for me. And for years, I did just fine without them.

But after I started working full-time again, I knew my family needed a very efficient system in place. I also knew the system had to be really easy or we wouldn’t maintain it. So I carefully created a simple chore list.

I determined two important details right away:

1) Our chore list will aide our routine, not dictate our schedule.

We have not completely followed the list one single time since posting it on our fridge. But our mornings run much smoother now because I can say, “Check the list,” to my kids instead of verbally running through every item repeatedly.

In the evenings, when my mind is tired, I just glance at the list. It tells me what to do. I can choose not to follow through, of course. But having that gentle suggestion ready when I want it is very helpful.

2) We won’t play catch-up.

I really love that completing a couple of simple chores each day helps keep the home looking nice much of the time.

But we won’t play catch-up. If my family doesn’t scrub the main bathroom on Monday, it can wait until Thursday. If we don’t vacuum or mop this week, we can do it next week. No big deal.

The Printables!

Today I want to share my family’s lists with you. The first two pages, shown above, are exactly what we have hanging on our own fridge. The other two pages, shown below, are perfect for those of you who would like to write down different chores.

Print one to laminate and check off with an erasable marker if you need a simple routine. Print several if you’d like to vary your list each week.


Click here to download your FREE daily and weekly chore list!

Remember, though, whether you use a ready-made chart or create your own, you are in charge of your list, not the other way around. Don’t let any chart be be the boss of your family or tell you how to feel!

And for those of you with pre-readers in your home, I’ve got you covered, too! Print and laminate the chart below, and let your little ones put a sticker on it after they finish each chore. Remove stickers each day or once a week. Repeat.

Or just print it and put it on your fridge. No lamination or stickers needed.

Remember, you don’t work for the chart, the chart works for you. You’re the boss.

Click here to download your FREE daily chore chart graphic!

I’d love to hear – what chore chart tips would you like to share?

 

Save

Save

5 Comments

You May Also Like:

  • When You Want to Read Your Bible But Keep Falling Behind…

    When You Want to Read Your Bible But Keep Falling Behind…
  • Q&A: How to Manage Your Home When Life Gets Chaotic

    Q&A: How to Manage Your Home When Life Gets Chaotic
  • How to Care for Yourself without Being Selfish

    How to Care for Yourself without Being Selfish
  • House Keeping Tip #1: Know Your Why

    House Keeping Tip #1: Know Your Why
  • Dear Messy Housekeeper {There is Hope for Your Home}: 5 Tips from a Fellow Mess-Maker

    Dear Messy Housekeeper {There is Hope for Your Home}: 5 Tips from a Fellow Mess-Maker
« The Best Housekeeping Reminder You’ll See This Year
Dear Messy Housekeeper {There is Hope for Your Home}: 5 Tips from a Fellow Mess-Maker »

Comments

  1. Keri says

    April 29, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    Love these ideas!

    Reply
    • Davonne says

      April 29, 2015 at 4:00 pm

      Keri, hi! I’ve missed you, my blogging friend!

      Reply
  2. Tove Maren says

    May 4, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    I love that you don’t play catch up – awesome philosophy! These charts are awesome!!!!

    Reply
    • Davonne says

      November 27, 2017 at 10:06 am

      Thank you, Tove!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 6 Tear-Free Ways to Get Kids to Clean {Plus Your Summer Reading List!} says:
    May 26, 2015 at 10:19 am

    […] not always obvious to our kids. So make sure they know what is expected. You can do this by posting a simple chore chart, having a family meeting, and offering frequent gentle […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

FREE Email Course

Make Your Home a Haven

Making your house a haven   cover   vs35

    You’re only 10 days away from a haven at home. This FREE email course will help you get there.

    During our time together, I'll teach you how to implement specific processes and systems so you can make immediate progress.

    If you want to stop feeling stuck at home so you can be ready for whatever God has in store for you, sign up now.

    Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    I won't send spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Powered by ConvertKit

    Search this Website

    A Note from Davonne

    Hi! Are you weary from accomplishing the same, seemingly invisible tasks every day and wondering if what you do really matters? I was. If you need to believe, deep in your soul, that your role at home is valuable, then you've come to the right place. Read More

    Connect on Social Media

    Featured Freebies

    • 101 Time-Saving Tips for Busy Moms eBook
    • Making Your Home a Haven email course
    • Printable Encouraging Notecards
    • Printable Verses to Teach our Children
    • Printable Snowman Soup Poem
    • Reader Q&A
    • Tidy Up Club on Facebook

    Instagram

    Instagram requires authorization to view a user profile. Use autorized account in widget settings

    Copyright © 2019 · Refined theme by Restored 316