Suggestions for Chores (Mom and children) while doing HOD?

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inHistiming
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Suggestions for Chores (Mom and children) while doing HOD?

Post by inHistiming » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:26 am

I am doing some of Beyond this year with my daughter (spelling and emerging reader's schedule), and just started LHFHG with my younger son. My oldest and daughter are using a different program part of the time, which takes WAY too long to get through each day. We will ALL be using Bigger soon, maybe once we finish our current unit in the 'other program'. I'm getting impatient with Bigger...sitting on my shelf, and knowing my days will be so much shorter once I start...So, my question is this:

How do you all work out your cleaning schedule/children's chores with your HOD day?


We have had a rough time completing ours with what we've been doing for school taking up most of our time each day. I'd like to hear how it helps the flow of your entire day when using HOD.

I think this is on topic, but Carrie please let me know if it's not... :?

yayadaisy
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Location: MN, Little Falls

Post by yayadaisy » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:59 am

Hi there- I am pretty new to this board myself but can tell you what we do. My kids have certian chores they need to do in the morning before they can eat breakfast. I will check them throughout the day and if they aren't done they have to do them again and then get an extra chore for not doing it well the first time. I do my own things before school starts and try to do as much as possiable the night before after my husband get home from work so I don't have much to do. I also do certian things in the afternoon like laundry, cleaning etc. I have learned to let go of some things and just be happy that the house is as clean as it is. I hope this helps. This is just what we do now and I have had to change it now and then so it really is never the same all the time.

Sheila mom to five kids

silly
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Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:49 am
Location: Wichita, Kansas

Post by silly » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:43 am

Well, we are using LHTH, so we really have a short day, but to be honest, we do work together. Their chores (at 5 and 4) are basically self-care chores, getting dressed, combing hair and washing face/brush teeth. We make all the beds together, and then we eat breakfast and they help clear the table.

Since the curriculum is made like it is, easily split up, what I see happening is that we get breakfast done, start a load of laundry, work on school until laundry is ready to be changed, work on school, lunch and lunch chores, etc, etc. We do most of the housecleaning in the afternoon anyway, because my husband works evenings and it's easier for me to work when he's gone :lol:

It's actually best for my very active guys to only do a bit of school at a time, and if I break it up, changing activities, then they have an easier time concentrating.
Sasha; mama to
Erik (5) LHTH
Jacob (4) LHTH
Lucas (2)

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jahayfamilyschool/

momof2n2
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Post by momof2n2 » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:25 pm

this is our day.

we try to start at 8:30. Emphasis on try!

2nd grader:
Bible Study
First Language Lessons
Spelling
Math-U-See
History
Bible
History Activity/Geography/Science/Art [we call this Rotation, btw]

It is usually around 10:30AM

While we are doing that, my Kindergartener sits next to me. He does his cursive and his Math-U-See. Then he goes to play with the girls. This takes him just about an hour, because he is doing it in between my helping my older son. We go until 9:30ish.

THEN IT IS WORK TIME. This totally varies. Monday is laundry day. Today the five-year-old vacuumed two rooms. My seven-year-old has more of the kitchen detail. They do not have a ton of chores. I am not known for my sparkling house!

We work til we are done. They play til lunch. I get calls made, etc.
Lunch is roughly 12-1, including prep.

1:30 the girls go down for quiet time. I play some with my 3 year old, or we do letters, etc.

by 1:45/2:00 pm we start afternoon school.
For us that is:
Storytime and follow-up
Reading for both boys.
Follow-up from our homeschool co-op.
Any extra work we are working on.

We are usually done by 3:30pm.

Breaktime for all of us! TV for the kids, most days. Computer time for mom. Chores around 4:30, 5:00pm. I will start dinner. I get the girls up from quiet time at 4:30 and they all mess around!

That's our day. :P

Sounds so dull and organized. I assure you there is a LOT of whining! [Not me, them! ;)]

Fall 2015
DS 17 -gr.12 full time college student
DS 15- gr. 10 favorites from World Geo and World Hx.
DD 13- gr. 8 Rev to Rev
DD 11- gr. 6 CTC
DD 7 - gr. 2 Beyond
DD 4 - pre-K Rod & Staff and Phonics Pathways

Tansy
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Location: Texas

Post by Tansy » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:34 pm

We are trying a different take on our chores. We emphasis others centered and what is good for the family.
We do not have a set time to Do chores..
we have breakfast then small break or we run errands, Dr Appointments always get in the way.
Around 10 am we try to start school with many small breaks (you know I spend 20 min looking for a pencil sharpener because daddy gave her mine last week! grrr)
12 pm lunch (daddy home)
1pm Recess
1:30 school
3:30 free time
4:30 homework (any copy work not done ect.)
5:00 I start dinner. If her chores are not done by this time I do them*

*Why I do her chores.
So I got this out of How to make your children mind without losing your own. DD gets an allowance its hers free and clear every week with one exception. IF someone else is forced to do her chores because she failed to do them. Like in the real world... If you don't do your work some one has to do the work.. and you can always hire some one to do it. So If I have to empty the dishwasher (and she has had lots of opportunity to do so). I put it up on the tally board. If Daddy has to clear the table before he can wipe it down after meals he puts it up on the tally board. And on Sunday (allowance day) when she gets her allowance we line up with our hands out. I did 3 of your chores you owe me 30 cents ect..
Also if she gets to my chores before I do like today she made my bed this afternoon (my bad) I put that on the tally board. and I pay her from my monthly mad money.

I will remind her she has chores to do once, but I do not will not nag... For example last 2 weeks she has decided she wanted to be a sluggard. (yes Carrie she actually said that) When she had a grand total of 35 cents left in her allowance this Sunday... I had no trouble with her today... she was putting away those dishes and picking up the doggie doo. Without complaint..
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silly
Posts: 44
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:49 am
Location: Wichita, Kansas

Post by silly » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:39 pm

Tansy, I kinda like that method...my mom would dock our allowance, but didn't explain it really in those terms.
Sasha; mama to
Erik (5) LHTH
Jacob (4) LHTH
Lucas (2)

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jahayfamilyschool/

water2wine
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Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: GA

Post by water2wine » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:04 pm

We have a chore chart that I made. It is very simple, top row times of day in general terms, morning, lunch ,before dinner etc. into 4 times of day. Then I have rotating blocks of chores. We rotate every week so it is "fair". In the AM laundry is hung and folded and dishes are done, counters wiped and bathroom cleaned up before we start. Then lunch is made by one child, dishes are done, floors swept. Then there is an afternoon laundry crew, and dishes, one child is sue chef with me. So it is just kind of a rhythm. The way chores are guaranteed done is that if someone else has to do your chore because you did not do it you have to do their chore and yours. So it makes more work for you to not do your chore. You kind of reap what you sow type thing. I let the kids remind each other mostly but the rule is you have to be nice. :D

It all works pretty well. My kids will do their chores usually before I am even awake except for my late risers that will do them when I wake up. Sometimes they even do their reading before I am awake as well. 8) And here is the shocker. No allowance. None. If they want to earn extra money they have to do extra chores, or loose a tooth. Hahaha! Seriously. It is just because you live here. Now for instance two of my kids have done some extra things for me out of the goodness of their hearts and it was not asked for so they did get a prize. Prizes are cheap. They can be as simple as a trip to the dollar store and get one or two things. And they think that is really cool.

My kids are not perfect and we have junk just like everyone else. So don't get me wrong but this system works pretty well for us.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)

inHistiming
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Post by inHistiming » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:23 am

Thanks, ladies, for all the input. We have a 'system' right now, but are having some trouble getting the kids to do ALL their chores. They will try to get away with not doing something, such as taking a shower or cleaning the cat box, etc. I'm sure they try this because they were successful once, right? :oops: When this happens, or if they do not do a chore properly (they've been taught how to do them) then they lose .25 from their allowance. They have set amounts that they earn, IF they do their chores. When they lose a quarter, it's more than they would actually be earning for that chore....this worked for a while. They still have to do or re-do the chore once it's discovered that it was done improperly or not done. I have told them that they must do these chores, whether they get the money for it or not, because as a member of the family it is required. I just really don't know how to make sure they are doing them. I can't be with them every moment can I? I guess I could follow them around for a while, maybe that would work. :? Anyway, thanks again. It sounds like for the most part, you all feel you're getting your HOD and chores done?

shera
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Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:53 pm

Post by shera » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:11 am

inhistiming
I read somewhere that one mom suggests you put it in your chores to inspect your kids chores. So if beds need to be made and rooms straightened before lunch then before you start to make lunch you inspect. This ensures that they are getting done. If they are not done no lunch. She also says you need to make sure that the kids are trained and know how to do the chores. So you don't just say clean your room but do it with them for awhile until they know what is expected.

HTH
Sarah
Sarah
ds 11/01
dd8/04

inHistiming
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Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:30 pm
Location: Central VA
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Post by inHistiming » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:21 am

Thanks, Shera. I've been thinking about that this morning...I feel that I've trained them, but maybe there's something they are not getting? So, I'm going to try to come up with a new 'chart' and then maybe do the chores with them every day. We'll have to set up a specific time, and I need a specific list for myself too. Right now I'm basically just getting to what has to be done, KWIM? I don't know what we'll do about the allowance thing...still thinking on that. :? Thanks again, to everyone!

water2wine
Posts: 2743
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: GA

Post by water2wine » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:47 pm

I think sometimes you really have to show them what is expected. I used to get really frustrated but now I make them "narrate" to me what is involved in say doing the bathroom and it has really helped. :lol: I definitely have to time to get HOD and my own personal chores done. But that does not mean I always get them done. :wink: We are on break now and I invented all kinds of side things other than doing what needed to be done. In fact when we do HOD it gives us a rhythm and I actually get more done. 8) I kind of have a creative time management if left to my own devices.

Now if Carrie would just write me a curriculum for keeping everything clean and organized, we would be perfect. :lol:
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)

my3sons
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Post by my3sons » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:39 pm

I so agree with w2w about making sure that the children understand how to do the task. For example, I thought I'd quick teach my ds how to throw in a load of laundry - oh my goodness! There are like 10 steps to doing laundry! I ended up labeling each step on the controls of the washer and dryer, and he's done laundry well ever since!

BUT, when did I teach this? In the SUMMER! I have decided that summer is the time for real training for chores and habit training for us. This past summer, I taught the children daily how to do what I call "room checks" and "body checks". Basically, make the bed, pick up, etc. Brush teeth, wash hands, clean clothes on, comb hair, etc. One thing that made this really work with my boys is I told them I was a "drill sargeant" and I'd be their "inspector" checking over their work. They could not go downstairs for the day until "room checks" and "body checks" passed inspection. I even donned a whistle and Daddy's Navy hat one time! They really got into it! I checked this religiously in the summer, and I did not let the children go downstairs until they passed inspection. This training has carried us through the entire school year pretty much. I stuck with the rule that they cannot go downstairs until rooms/hygiene is taken care of. I don't really check it all that often - just randomly. I can see we've got work with our 5 yo in his room picking up, but we'll hit it again in the summer - otherwise, they do it well pretty much every day!

Also, my sons have to work together to unload the dishwasher and let out the dog before grabbing breakfast which they dash upstairs to eat together in their rooms and play. This all must be done before beginning to play, and obviously, the quicker they get it all done, the more playing time they have. I am feeding the baby and doing other stuff at this time, by 9:00 they have to be down to start school. (Not on Sat./Sun. though)

This has been so successful that they have planned together to get up at 6:00 before to do their room/body checks, dishwasher, dog, and grab breakfast to have several hours of playtime together. My only rule here is that they may not wake baby or me (since I've often been up most of the night with little honey since he has such trouble with reflux and wore a helmet too - till last week - hooray to say goodbye to the helmet!).

Other chores we do after the school day. Other than loading the dishwasher after lunch, and dustbusting under the table, and the high chair! What did I DO before the dustbuster purchase? We do a walk through the house main floor before bedtime, and my hubbie and I stress the importance of all of us being good stewards of what God has given us by keeping it picked up. We also stress the importance of being able "to see work", and ask what looks like it needs "work" in the main floor before bedtime. They love doing this all together, and we put on some upbeat fun music too. It takes like 10 minutes, and otherwise I'm too tired do do it all myself at night, and I wake up to a big mess.

SOOOOO, sorry that got very long, but it's been the best thing for us! I've already got things planned to teach really well this summer as far as chores/habits. We've used this book in bits and pieces and enjoyed it:

Life Skills for Kids
by: Christine M. Field
Here's a link for it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Skills-Kids- ... 0877884722

HTH

In Christ,
Julie
Last edited by my3sons on Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

netpea

Post by netpea » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:10 pm

Wow, you ladies have such wonderful ideas. I need to try some of these and find the one that works for us. :D

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