Happy Homes Chore Management System

Dr. Ward Teaches a seminar based on the Happy Homes Chore Management System she has developed. To attend one of her classes check the Calendar or Join the Mailing List for notification of newly forming classes. If you are interested in a private class or getting a group together contact her directly to schedule an appointment..

In the meantime check out the following tips on how to make chores less stressful in your home.

Kids, Chores, & Family Stress

Whether it's feeding the family pets, setting the dinner table, vacuuming the carpet, or any number of similar tasks, chores can help teach your child responsibility. Children who are positively involved in the day-to-day life of a family feel they are an actual part of what makes that family successful. Nevertheless, performing home chores is one of the top three sources of conflict between parents and children. There are effective ways to minimize this conflict.

How Children Benefit From Doing Chores

Self-esteem increases.
Sense of competence develops.
Helpful habits are established
Healthy work ethic is acquired
Learn how a household is run.
Important life skills are developed. (prioritizing, making choices, accepting rewards and consequences, etc.)
Transition to adulthood is easier.
Experience self as an important, contributing part of the family.

Principles of Effective Chore Systems

Every family member should participate in choosing chores, rewards, and consequences.
Chores should be age appropriate.
Train children to do each chore.
Use visual reminders of chore duties, rewards, and consequences.
Establish and enforce "deadlines."
Be specific about what constitutes a "completed" chore.
Build variety into the system.
Make the system self-enforcing and self-monitoring.
Include fun surprises or chore vacations occasionally.

Age Appropriate Chore Lists Ideas

Tips on Teaching Responsibility with Chores

Start teaching your child at a young age that her help is important to the family.
Teach your child to pickup after each activity. Enforce this when he asks for something-especially when he is finished playing with his toys!
Get children involved in the process of doing chores by allowing them to choose the chores that they can do.
Ask your child what the consequences of NOT doing her chores should be.
Teach children the joy of self-evaluation and a job well done. When children experience a sense of pride in their behavior, the behavior itself becomes the reward.
Do not do anything for your child that he can do for himself.
Always give praise for a job well done when a chore is completed! Make this appropriate. Praise that is out of proportion to the accomplishment loses its value.
Notice and compliment the effort if your child does something without being asked to do it. Behavior that is noticed and rewarded (even verbally) is repeated.

To learn more about Dr. Ward's Happy Homes Chore Management System click here.

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