WFMW- Get those kids to work!

This WMFM is GET THOSE KIDS TO WORK! Many of the comments that we get about being homeschooler is that "I couldn't do that because_______________." The blank could include:

1. I don't have the patience

2. I don't have the time

3. How do you get everything done?

Well I am about to make a confession..I am a SLAVE DRIVER. Yes you read that right. I expect my kids to work, and I don't mean on their school work (although as a homeschooling family, that would be nice). My kids have chores that they are expected to do every single day, without fail. I have heard in the past people implying that my house should be cleaner because I am home all day. What they forget is that I may be home all day, but so are my kids! Without their help, the house would look like a tornado went through it AT ITS BEST! Therefore, my kids are put to work. Every morning the kiddos get up and they have 1 hour to complete the following (and yes this even includes my 3yo...although yes she is little so she gets more help than the other two get).

1. Their bedrooms must be picked up.

2. Beds must be made.

3. They must be dressed.

4. They must have their morning chore completed. For my older 2 this means they have the lovely chore of cleaning their bathroom. One will take on cleaning the sink and tub while the other does the toilet and floor. Once Sunday comes they switch. It is their bathroom so all responsibility of keeping it clean is up to them. While the older 2 are working on the bathroom, Maddie is in charge of taking all the shoes that pile up at the door (we don't wear shoes in the house...we live in the country with basically a mud driveway yuck!) and putting them away.

After all of this is completed we can sit down to a nice family breakfast. They all also have chores to do at each meal time. One will put the plates and silverware on the table, another will get out items from the fridge (bbq sauce, butter etc.), and the last will make the drinks for everyone at the table. Each person is expected to clear their own spot. While I am generally the one washing all the dishes, the kids take turns cleaning off the table and putting up the dry dishes (we don't have a dishwasher so the dry dishes need to be put away before I can wash after each meal everyday). Those are just their "required" chores. What I LOVE is that my kids take so much of the pressure off my shoulders, and not always because they have too. Many times I will catch one of them taking laundry out of the dryer for me or cleaning. One thing Sanite loves to do (for fun??) is clip coupons for me on Sundays. What a help that is! Some may say its cruel, but I love the fact that my kids have a great work ethic and are getting a sense that family means team. At any rate, this is what helps us make it through our day, it may not work for you but it sure works for me:) For more Works for me Wednesdays Check out Shannons blog!