The Ritual of Chores
Sunday may be a day of rest for a lot of people, but when I was a kid, it was cleaning day at our house. We had a ritual: church, a dozen donuts from Dunkin’ and then home to start cleaning.
Queen of the Chore Chart
My mom was the queen of the chore chart! She knew how to run a house with four kids.
The handmade “chore chart” was on the side of the fridge. Each week, the four of us rotated bathrooms, vacuuming, loading and unloading the dishwasher and setting the table. Plus, we had to clean our rooms every Sunday.
I think we earned $5 dollars a week for our contribution. Just enough to get into the Star Theater for a movie. Not enough for a snack!
While I definitely contributed to cleanliness of the house, I have to admit that the rest of it didn’t quite sink in. It’s only been recently that I started making my bed every day, and, in my 20’s and 30’s, I wasn’t great with money.
Lessons for my 5-year-old
When I hear myself say to my 5-year-old, “If you want something, you need to check and see if you have enough money in your bank,” I feel a little hypocritical. I laugh to myself, but I know it’s the right thing to do.
Tweet
Yesterday, we were in Agway and he loves looking at the plastic animals. He really wanted the Red Brahmin Bull. I told him that I would bring him
back if he had enough money in his bank to buy it.
When we got home, he ran right in, gleefully told his Grandma about the bull and started counting his money.
With a $2 dollar spot from her, he had enough for one, but, he decided that he really wanted two.
I didn’t want to just hand him the money. I often tell him, “We don’t have enough money for that …” and I worry that I might give him a complex! But truly, I want him to understand the value of money and the value of sharing it to help other people.
Julie Kelley/Truly Jude Creator
Making Chores Cool Again!
My mom said, maybe you could do chores for more money? He lit up and was ready to go!
Two bathrooms cleaned, three trash cans emptied and ski equipment carried to the basement later … he had the extra $8 dollars that he needed for a second bull and we were heading back to Agway.
When I say that he was delighted by himself and what he accomplished, that’s an understatement! He was giddy taking out the trash, counting out his money at the store and coming home to play.
I was giddy because my toilets were clean and he may remember to pick up the seat more often since he had to clean it!
I was even more proud because he had a goal and learned the value of working hard to achieve it … even at 5-years-old.
I’m Curious What You Think
Did you do chores when you were growing up? Do your kids and grandkids do chores? I’d love to hear your answers in the comments below!
Truly,
Julie
Your. Soulful. Spaces.
#TRULYJUDE