getting them to do chores

[Guest guest]

The advice has always been to get a routine going. I have a really REALLY hard

time doing this. I can't stick to a schedule because inevitably something comes

up to mess with it and I just find it overwhelming. I have ADHD and imposing

order and making other people stick to it is not something I'm good at doing. I

can barely get MYSELF organized. So I'm doing something else that seems to work

for me.

I'm trying to get the kids to do more chores. I don't give them an allowance

but I do pay them for some chores they do around the house on an as needed

basis. I say, " Who wants to take out the garbage for a dollar! " The kids

sometimes compete and I have to figure out something for the child who gets to

the first chore last. LOL. But, the kids are totally cooperative and don't

complain at all. I make the amounts related to the amount of effort and focus

they require. Taking out the garbage requires carrying a heavy bag of smelly

stuff to the basement so it's a dollar. I rarely give them more than a dollar

for anything but it's pretty amazing how quickly they accumulate funds. I keep

track on my computer and then when they ask for something I pay for it and

deduct from whatever they have on their list.

Anyway, it's working for us so I thought I'd share.

Miriam