Chores do you use charts, or not?

United States
January 23, 2008 10:12am CST
In this day and age it's very hard to get things done within the time you need them done. I've been looking around at getting a chore chart for my entire family, so we can keep track of what needs to be done. I've looked at several different websites to see what I need to do to get my household back in order. Now I know alot of you out there use charts, and other types of organizing skills to make things work. I'm just wondering what works the best for you, and what are your suggestions for me? I've listed some sites below that offer some great charts for just about everything, feel free to enjoy. http://www.dltk-cards.com/chart/ http://www.successfulfamilychores.com/Chore_Charts/ http://www.chartjungle.com/ http://www.chorecharts.com/
3 people like this
12 responses
@crazylady (470)
• United States
24 Jan 08
I used the white board on my fridge to list the things I expect each kid to do, and my hubby and I email each other our "to do" lists we have made for ourselves. Its a great way of being responsible cause at night before making the new one for the next day, we update on the today's list.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Feb 08
Yeah my oldest is famous for that, so I ask him if he needs more chores! LOL He is 12 and so ornery!
• United States
11 Feb 08
I remember when I was little my mother used a white board, and my brother's would always erase or change they're chores. Lol, it used to be really funny because they'd put chores that weren't even chores. Lol, stuff like watch cartoons. It was great, I miss my brothers.
• United States
23 Jan 08
thank god i am a 2 person household and i can take things in my own time i dont live in a pigsty but i do things at my own pace and it works for me i dont know what to tell you other than make a chart and designate certain chores for certain individuals on certain days i live with my 18 yr old daughter and i basically do everything anyways so i just do it at my own speed
• United States
24 Jan 08
Gosh, I'd kill to have a 2 person household. It would be so quiet lol, and peacefull.
@aretha (2538)
• United States
24 Jan 08
i have to use one. if i don't i can't keep up. i make a list of everything that needs to be done and add on as i think of things. i seporate them to things i need to do everyday to 3 times a week or twice a week etc. if i know i won't be home one day i do that day the day before. so there is one day a week that i dust and one day a month i shampoo my livingroom rug. it just seems easier and if i don't have a chart i will go from room to room before i finish one room and it ends up taking all day. i also limit myself i two small boys at home all day so there is toys all over. i limit my self to pick up toys 3 times a day if not i would be going all day.
1 person likes this
@asunnys (30)
• United States
23 Jan 08
The only "system" I've ever tried is Flylady, and I love how they break everything down for you area by area in your house (and it's free!). However, I've customized it to fit me better (and my full-time + schedule), so each day of the week I tackle specific rooms. The whole family knows that Monday is for Living Room/Den, Tuesday is for Kitchen/Dining Room, etc. Spot cleaning and things like dishes are done as needed. the heavy stuff get's hit once a week and it works fine for us.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 May 08
thanks for this tip! it looks like my beau can use this. i am actually organized with my stuff but my boyfriend is having a hard time maintaining the orderliness of his area. he has a separate room for all his tools & machine works which is very cluttered & untidy. i will definitely recommend this to him!
@nilouette (632)
• Philippines
24 Jan 08
I do not use charts, but I recommend it if the chores get out of hand...
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Jan 08
I use chore sheets for my kids but it is more of a guide. It makes it easier for them to know which they are suppose to do on any given day.
1 person likes this
@nangel78 (1454)
• United States
23 Jan 08
My husband and I just get done what we can around the house. We do not have children yet so with it being just the two of us, this works out.
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
30 Apr 08
Well as I live on my own a chore chart as such would be a bit pointless for me as there would only be my name on it. I do use charts for tasks I have to do at work and usually use the task manager that is on outlook, it gives me reminders and I also have the ability to move the tasks around in order of their importance! Good discussion
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Dry Erase Boards!!! I used to use a Dry Erase Board with the days of the week listed, and each family member and their stuff they needed to do. When they got one done, they crossed it off the board. Now, What I did, was use a permanent marker to make the lines and the days and names, then in each day, I used it to write the chore. I always left space to write in other things with the eraseable marker, that may change or are temporary. This was effective when I had more than one child in the house. Now that there's just myself, my husband and my youngest child, I don't think we need it. However, I will be getting another board this spring, as my oldest will be home from college and he will be training horses for people and we will need a system for keeping track of which horses got rode, what medications need done, ect. I'm also thinking I'm going to set up an office in the barn for doing this stuff. I do need to start getting organized for this, as there's a whole list of things that need to be done in preparation for it. My son mentioned turning the center of the stall barn into a riding area for when it's raining. Probably a good idea, as he'll be able to ride regardless of weather. OH BOY!!
1 person likes this
@babykeka80 (2084)
• United States
23 Jan 08
I do not currently use a chart but by the links of my house right now I should probably at least try it. Maybe it would help my husband to get off his butt and help me without me saying hey can you...do whatever the chore is that needs to be done. It drives me crazy because if the dishes were piled to the roof he wouldn't attempt to do anything before I told him too. Maybe I will look into a chart also and see if it helps me out. Between hubby and my two year old my house never seems to stay clean very long. I have recently started making her help more picking up her toys and such so maybe it will get better, at least until this new baby comes along and starts terrorizing. LOL
1 person likes this
@shymurl (2765)
• United States
23 Jan 08
I use to use charts. It didn't work so well. I would assign certain tasks for everyone. Change it up day to day, and they want to argue about it all the time. I tried using a chart on several occasions but it never really worked. So i just do most of the work and hope it all gets done by the time I have to go to work.
1 person likes this
11 Feb 08
Tried to do a cleaning rota as suggested in 'The Smart Woman's Guide to Staying at Home' - Melissa Hill, but it quickly went by the wayside.