Summer Chores

Like I mentioned in THIS post about our daily and weekly summer schedule, the kids have responsibilities to do before they can play.

Their daily summer schedule looks like this:
get dressed
eat breakfast
brush teeth
brush hair
make bed
do one chore from chore chart
any additional chores will be paid at .25¢ each
do schoolwork: reading and math.

They can do those things in any order but if they want to play with friends, watch a movie or play a video game, they must have all their daily responsibilities done.

As for the chore chart, we use this one below which we've adapted.

(You can find similar ones on amazon HERE, or even make one yourself with a Pinterest inspired idea found HERE.)

Summer Schedule

I don't want my kids watching movies and playing video games all summer long.  And it's especially important to keep the Spencinator on a routine.  So I've come up with a summer schedule that not only keeps the kids busy, but also helps keep my house clean.

We did this last summer and have recently started it again for this summer and it's working beautifully.  I'm not saying there aren't complaints, but the kids know the schedule and eventually do what they are supposed to do each day.   And did I mention my house is getting clean.  I love having the kids home for the summer.

The Babes is pretty much exempt from this because she only 2, but the older kids have the following daily responsibilities:

Chores For A 2 Year Old

My older two kids are in school all day so most of the time it's just me and the Babes at home.  So by default she becomes my housework helper.  She's at the age where she loves to help anyway, and I'm not one to say no to help, especially when I want her to help.  

But what chores can a two year old do?  

Granted a lot of things aren't helpful, like when she helps me fold laundry by unfolding and handing me the pieces I've already neatly folded.   And some things take longer when she helps, but getting her into the habit of helping is important, so I'm willing to take the extra time, and re-do her work when necessary.  

Here are 3 ways my 2 yr old likes to help:

1.  Dishes

2.  Laundry

3.  Groceries

1.  Dishes

One thing she begs me to do is put away the dishes.  While I don't let her grab the glass cups and ceramic bowls, I have found her to be helpful in putting away the utensils.  I set the utensil rack on the counter, pull up a chair for her to sit on and open the drawer.  She does the rest.

It's also a great way for her to practice her matching skills.