Summer Schedules 2009

I gain so much from seeing how other women manage their households so I'm sharing mine in hopes someone can benefit. I also think it is a great record because things change so much from year to year it is great to have things like this to look back on. (click to enlarge if needed)

A few notes:
As soon as you can read in my house, you do your own laundry. I teach them how to read the instructions on the clothes, detergents and other laundering products and I teach them how to read the the washer and dryer. After that, they are responsible for their own clean clothes. I usually have to do a little reminding (okay, a lot) during the younger years as to when to do it and to finish the job (getting it folded and put away), but by now my oldest two are very good at taking care of their own clothes. It is great because as they get older they ask for advice as to how to prevent wrinkling and fading and they can't blame me for messing up their clothes!

On our 'big job days' (Wednesdays) we wash windows, walls, blinds etc. I've assigned one big job for each week this summer. So nice to have help with them! One person is in charge of Tess while the rest of us work.

We each take turns being in charge of keeping the house picked up each day. I have each of our names printed on a piece of paper. Whose ever turn it is to pick up is posted on the door. (That is not on the job list.)

The "Talk to Mom" job was a genius idea I added this year. I love it! That is when I get a little one on one chit chat with each kid. . .I use it to talk about what they read in their scriptures that day or do a job inspection or check on scouting progress or sneak them a little 'good job treat'. It is just whatever seems to be needed that day.

And you may be wondering why Caleb's says 'camping merit badge' specifically while the other two have a more generic item. . . well it's because that is his only required badge for his Eagle and he has to get it done right away. (he's close!)

And why does Chandler have to memorize a poem? Because one of his teachers offered $2 to anyone who can tell it to him when school starts back up. It is a good poem and how can you pass up $2 for that?? He's actually got it memorized and just has to review it once a week.

Fridays are our days off. We still have to do the top few jobs and we also take a trip to DI and the kids have to balance their budgets, but then they have the rest of the day free. We all enjoy Fridays!