1. Make up a chore chart on a computer program such as microsoft word(see #2 for an example)
Save it and make copies to hang on the refrigerator each week.
This method is tried & true, we used it in our household for years for our five children.
2. Across the top of the chore chart, list each day of the week (Mon-Sat with Sunday’s off)
Going down the left side of the page, list each child’s name
Make boxes so there is a box for each day per child
Type in 2 chores each day per child in each box (12 chores per week each)
3. Assign both easy & more involved chores evenly to each child in the same age range, giving age appropriate chores
Younger children can set and clear the table, pair socks, empty pails in the house, feed animals, dust
Older kids can make dinner, load & empty dishwasher or wash and dry dishes, sweep, vacuum, bring garbage & recycling to
the curb and back when empty, clean bathroom & mow lawn
4. For an allowance, each child earns their age. Example, a 9 yr. old will make $9.00 per week, but out of that money
comes their school lunches, book sales, if they see something they want to buy or for the many times they ask for money
for different reasons. This teaches them responsibility, how to budget and save money. Once they have to make their
lunch because they have spent all their money, they learn how to save some.
5. Determine how much each chore is worth by dividing their age by the number of chores each week. Example: $9.00 (their
age), divided by 12 (the amount of chores) = .75 each chore
Have them check off each chore they do.
At the end of the week, subtract the amount from the chores they did not do from their age and that’s what their
allowance will be that week. Example: 2 chores not done, subtract $1.50 from $9.00. They get $7.50 that week. This
really makes them want to do their chores when they don’t have enough money for what they want to buy.