Distributing the Burden

Some of your household will like some chores and dislike others, it's up to you to determine which chores can be spread out amongst the household. For example, one person might not like putting the dishes away, but doesn't mind collecting the trash from all the rooms in the house and putting it out. Rather than arguing over who does what, talk to them and find something each person can do.

Create a rotating chore chart to assign mealtime tasks such as setting the table, doing the dishes, etc. You can make this a revolving wheel, like this: or if you have a chalkboard, you can set up a chart something like this:

Avoid being the boss, delegate effectively by let the others know what's expected of them, and letting them figure things out for themselves, they only need guidance if they can't figure it out - young children might require help the first few times. Then all you have to do is check up on them from time to time to see that they're producing the results you want.

Standards

Rather than trying to intervene whenever something isn't done properly, or the way you would do it, let others in the household figure it out. Hold back and let some of the other members gripe and solve the problem themselves, it's a growth experience - just don't let it turn to bickering.

Don't impose too high a standard, delegation is not about having it done your way - that's Burger King - this is the real world, it's about letting others do things to get the results you want. If you want it done better, you should first re-examine your expectations to make sure you're not asking too much from a 5-year old.

If your household is uncooperative, it might be because your standards are too high - at this time. Lower your standards a little and see if it's not easier to get chores done. Eventually you can raise the bar if you're still not happy with the results.

Outside help

What if you still can't get everything done you need to in a week? Why not hire someone to help you? You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish with the assistance of someone for just a few (read 3 or 4) hours a week. If you can't, or don't want to, afford to hire someone, consider other possibilities - school children, college students, neighbors, friends - who might be willing to take over one or two jobs, for considerably less than it costs to hire a professional. For years, when I was a kid, I'd go around the neighborhood offering to mow lawns for a small amount of money. There's probably someone like that in your neighborhood, ask around.

Motivating others

It's not always easy to get others to do chores, they need some form of motivation. I believe that when people understand how they will benefit from something, they're more likely to help out, and that's the basis of how I try to motivate people.

For children it's simple, "When you do this, it makes Mommy and Daddy happy". Start by including them in the chores at a young age, doing things such as dusting or sweeping alongside you. This will help them to feel grown up, and you'll get more work done - maybe not the first or second time, but as they catch on you'll be suprised at how much will get accomplished.

You may have to teach young children step-by-step how to do chores, don't assume it will be learned just by watching. Instead, show them, talking it through, then let them do it themselves. Don't offer help unless they ask for it. When done, ask them if it looks right. If they say it doesn't then ask them how they plan to make it right. If they think it looks alright, and you don't, remember it's the first time they've done this, be lenient. Show them how you want it to look when it's done, and walk them through it again next time.

Once you've explained the desired results, and the other person has figured out how to do it, let them work without constant supervision. You should check the result when finished, and compliment them on a good job. Don't repremand or punish for mistakes, simply say something like "John, it looks like you worked hard on this to get it right, that's wonderful. I'd like to see it this way next time" and show him how it should be.

Another part of delegation is setting a timeframe. Clearly define the time of day when the chores are to be completed - before school, right after school, before dinner, before bed time, etc. Try not to let things go too late into the evening, as that should be reserved for family time. And check at that time - not before - to see if they've done their chores. If not, then remind them. If so, then compliment them.

Before the weekend, maybe on Thursday, make up a list of chores to be done, and negotiate who will do what. Break big jobs down into smaller steps, and besure everyone's abilities are appropriate for the tasks.

Don't be guilty of sex descrimination. Boys and girls, women and men, can do the same chores as the other sex, and in equal amounts.

Don't redo a chore that a child has completed without asking them if's done right, allowing them to fix it, and then only if they ask for help should to walk through it with them to get it right. If all you do is fix it, you won't help them to grow.

Don't expect everyone else to put in as much time as you, especially young children. Adjust your expectations of output based on their ages and abilities.

What can children do?

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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