Chore Sheet

A few months ago at a MOPS meeting, we mothers were talking about chores and when to start implementing that concept with our children. I thought it was a great idea (Hello, child labor!) and made a sticker sheet for Bennett. He did a few chores, but was more interested in taking the newly acquired sticker off rather than leaving it on to earn more.

So, I just dropped it and left the sheet up on the wall. Then a week and a half ago or so, I made squares on it and decided to give it another go around. This time I also added the incentive of a McDonald's ice cream cone at the end of it and explained that when the chores were "all done" he'd get to go get a special treat with Mommy and get ice cream.

And he totally got it. As soon as he finished one chore, we went racing to get stickers, slapped it up, and then he asked for "more chores! more stickers!".

He would tell anyone who asked what he'd get when his chores were finished and what he did for chores. His official chores included taking a wet wipe and cleaning under his highchair and putting away his blanket in his crib each morning. However, he earned stickers when he was especially helpful in picking up toys or helping with something for Grant, etc.

Bennett showing me where the "ice cream cone, McDonald's" was located.

Being a toddler and NOT looking at the camera when asked to do so. Sheesh.

Ok. That's much better -- the little boy with his completed chore sheet!!!

Enjoying the fruit of his hard work with a "special treat" at McD's.  :)

I think we'll do one more chore sheet this way and then I'd like to eventually move to the few specific chores and not give out stickers for any odd job he does. But, I really wanted him to get that ice cream cone as soon as he could so he'd really understand that this chore stuff really pays off! :) I'm pretty proud of him for getting the idea of chores and actually wanting to do it. Go Bennett!