Skip to main content

My kids don't know how to clean....

Seriously.  It never fails.  One of my kids (insert any name you choose) will tell me they are done with a job, only for me to come check it and be blown away at how obviously NOT done the job actually is.

For example, the bathroom is clean.  Only when I go check, the garbage can is overflowing, there is toothpaste smeared on the counter, and hair elastics spilled in the sink.  But because they picked up the dirty clothes off the floor, and put away the hair styling stuff off the counter, they think it's clean.

This goes for any room they are assigned to clean.  And even if I tell them, you have to do this and this and this in order for it to be clean...they still pull the same stunt the next time!!  So I decided that instead of wasting my breath repeatedly pointing out the things they still need to do in order for the job to be finished, I would make a checklist for each room that they need to mark off before they call the job finished.

I decided I wanted them to be sorta cute, so I turned to my handy dandy MyMemories software.  I made a different one for each room, and just for fun, I coordinated the colors of the checklists with the colors of the room they went with.  Too much?  Oh well.

I needed a daily checklist, and then a weekly one for the more deep cleaning day.  I also wanted them to be reusable.  So I decided I would glue the weekly and daily lists for each room back to back, and then laminate them.  Now they can use dry-erase marker to check off each task, and erase it once I've inspected and approved the job.  What do you think?




I punched a hole and a grommet in the top of each card, and tied some ribbon through.  They hang on a little hook on a key holder in my kitchen, and each child can take the one that corresponds with their job for that week with them and use it to make sure they finish the job to my satisfaction!  Woohoo!  Please bless that it works!

I thought of posting the printables, but then I realized that your checklist would be different than mine.  So go ahead and make some!  You don't have to use MyMemories, I just really love it.  Go here for a deal for my readers if you're interested in acquiring the software at a discount.

Do you use a checklist system for helping your kids get chores done?  How is it working out?

I'm linking up with TTUT, because I just love these girls so much!





p.s.  I have some really awesome kids.  They are the loves of my life - they are just really lame at cleaning.

Comments

Mrs. Match said…
I love those lists! What a cute idea. I can't tell you how much this reminds me of my hubby. He's so great and considerate about helping out, but his version of clean and mine are soooo different. :-)
Anonymous said…
Love those little cards! My son has a daily chore chart with magnets with pictures of the chores. Your post reminded me I need to hang that up and start implementing. After all, he's almost 5 and beyond capable of doing little things.
SupermomToki said…
Thanks for the great idea. Yes, my kids are exactly like yours. Say it's done just to go check and it isn't. Those are so helpful. I'm so doing it. Thanks!
Stacy Uncorked said…
What a great idea! My kids do the clean up exactly like your kids do. I think the checklists are brilliant - I'm definitely going to have to make some and see how they work for my kidlets. ;)


Warrior Cats Easter, Monsuno Obsession, Honeymoon Wine, Fairy Hobmother
VandyJ said…
Nice idea! I'm not that orgainzed but it looks like a great idea to get the job done. Right now Turbo only has his room to clean up and if he can walk across the floor it's "clean".
Aren't all kids bad at cleaning? Except me. I was OCD. Now Emma is OCD. It's really scary to know that a 2 year old will sit and cry if the washcloth isn't put back where it's supposed to go.

Anyway, I LOVE your bright idea. You have some of those every once in a while. THANK THE BABY JESUS that you didn't post about your infatuation with Mike Brady.

I'm gonna steal this idea from you when Emma is old enough to do chores.....like maybe in a few months?

Thanks for linking up with us my dear sweet friend! xoxo
Robin said…
Great Idea!! I used to have to do that with my co-workers!!
Shawn said…
This is a brilliant idea! I may make my own but I find it sad that I need to considering my kids are 12 and almost 18! I'm also going to share it with my girlfriend who had younger kids.

Thanks for linking up with us love!
Rachelle said…
That is such a cute idea! My kids could totally use that. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca said…
how cute I need to get these for little man to do chores by
Macey said…
You really need to knock it off now you creative organized person.
That is so stinkin' cute! I need a checklist for my kids. They are filthy little creatures! Sadly, I probably need a checklist for myself as well! They get it honest.

Thanks for sharing. Great idea!
Emmy said…
Such a great idea! As yes, if they have to check it off then they will hopefully realize or wait I really do have to do that.

Very cute cards
What a wonderful idea! I always have to ask my daughter when she says she is done if it will pass Dad's inspection. She always insists that it will... it never does!
I love it! I pinned this and am going to do it! Such a good idea. I think I need a checklist for myself! That way I can get stuff done throughout the week as well.
I like to have the house clean all at once and so I'm one of those that likes to do it all in a day.
Cleaning is a never ending task!

Popular posts from this blog

Hand Made for Fall - A party and a Giveaway!

I've been a busy girl! I have been wanting to do a giveaway for Fall, and when my fab friend Heidi revealed that her Monthly Craft Challenge for October would be Fall-themed crafts, I thought "YES! I will do a giveaway of Fall items - handmade by me!" So today I'm linking up with Heidi , and introducing my Handmade For Fall Giveaway as I show you what I've made for Heidi's party ! Sound good? First, a while back I showed you some coasters that I made, but it was clear back when I first started blogging, so I'm going to show you again with this new seasonal set! This idea has been floating around blog land, and I've seen several different variations. Here's how I do it. You will need: paper napkins, 4x4 ceramic tiles, 4x4 cork squares, MOD PODGE (what else?), sponge brushes (not shown), and polyurethane (not shown). Start by cutting your napkin down to a manageable size, slightly bigger than your tile. Next spread a layer of mod podg onto the t

Mod Podge Mania!

I am so super excited for our first edition of Mod Podge Mania! I love this stuff, and I LOVE getting new ideas for how to use it...so hopefully this will be a great place for "inspiration" where we can all get some fun new ideas! So here's how it will work. Post about a project on your blog, along with instructions on how you created your mod podge masterpiece! OR you can do a post featuring a project you have seen someone else do, just to pass the idea along. Just make sure you give credit where credit is due! Also, make sure to include a link back to my blog in your post! Next, link up by entering your name and copying the URL to your post into Mr. Linky - he's waiting at the bottom of this post. It would be helpful if you put the name of your project along with your name so people will know what they are coming to look at! (example: Xazmin - decorative eggs) Last, go check out everyone's fabulous projects and let the inspiration begin! You can link up as

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

So tell the truth - how many of you thought this would be a pregnancy announcement? Well - I'll have to twist my husband's arm a little more to get him to agree to that one! But this is the beginning of something very exciting...at least I think it is! SO HERE IT IS! Ribbon Blossoms Chic Boutique is now LIVE! And we’re celebrating with an Awesome Giveaway! If you have been following my blog, you know that I have a small business with my friend Tanielle , making and selling hair bows and other girly accessories. Until now we have been selling our items at craft shows and our local boutique mall. We also have had a few of our items listed on Daisy Craft, an online site for handmade items. But now, TODAY …we have our very own WEBSITE !!! Please celebrate with us by entering our Fabulous Girly Giveaway! Now don’t run away if you are not a mother of girls…this prize will make a wonderful baby gift or birthday gift for someone you love! Are you ready? Are you dying to know wha