The summer after we moved into this house we replaced the single-pane windows with energy efficient windows (thanks First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit!). For some reason (only God knows what that was), I had a yen to wash the windows a few weeks ago. And as I was completing the task I realized that it was the First Time that I had Ever washed those windows. Yes, folks, two years later I was finally washing the windows.
I figured that was kind of sad, and also, I reflected that it's hard to keep track of what was done when - especially since we are two working parents (and I'm a schooling parent, too!) who work opposite schedules. It was a little frustrating having to remind My Beloved that the diapers needed washed, and could he please put a load of darks in the laundry, and by the way the living room floor was feeling a bit gritty.... you get the picture. Enter the Chore Chart.
There's no score-keeping in this family (even though I can tell who did what based on the handwriting - tee hee!). And there's space to mark the dish-washing because - well, it's obvious when the dishes haven't been washed in a while! But now (NOW!) the house gets dusted occasionally, and the floors get swept regularly. At a glance, it's easy to tell which load of laundry is the most dire and/or if it's a diaper day (they have to be washed every other day otherwise we'd have a naked LB runnin' around). If either Matthew or I has a spare five minutes (ha!) we can theoretically pick a chore (it doesn't take that long to wash a window or two) and be productive.
Are there chores that one of us typically does? Yes and no. By that, I mean we have an understanding that all chores are fair game for whoever can do it when it needs done. However! I don't think I'm exaggerating too much when I say that Matthew has cleaned the bathroom 3 times in our married life (almost five years!). And it's a well-known fact that I don't care for putting laundry away. (I'm not sure why.. hanging clothes to dry and folding don't bother me.)
Recently The Chillens have inherited a few chores of their own! When EP was an infant I sometimes wondered how and when we could start making her wash the dishes. Alas! we've had to start more slowly than that, but both children have expectations. Putting toys away, for example. Matthew is better at enforcing that one; I am too impatient. Most recently, they have been in charge of putting their own durn socks (and underwear, if you're EP) away. Why? Because I don't like putting clothes away in the first place (see above) AND (especially) because I got tired of being condemned for mixing up their socks. My generous mom-in-law buys them (and me!) funky socks, and I just can't keep it straight which pair is whose. So they do it. I re-organized the Whole Clothing System almost exclusively so that they could reach their sock compartments (and their drawers - which has come in handy since LB is now at the stage where he will not take fashion advice from anyone anymore).
Well! This has been a fun (though perhaps kind of useless) post! I'm kind of impressed with how many parentheses are in here! (Nerd.)
And, my last Thought of the Day: I deeply appreciate all of the support on my last post. It turns out that I have quite a few insecurities that I need to work through - and they all exploded out of one tiny hole. But we're/I'm good. It's a good day.
I figured that was kind of sad, and also, I reflected that it's hard to keep track of what was done when - especially since we are two working parents (and I'm a schooling parent, too!) who work opposite schedules. It was a little frustrating having to remind My Beloved that the diapers needed washed, and could he please put a load of darks in the laundry, and by the way the living room floor was feeling a bit gritty.... you get the picture. Enter the Chore Chart.
There's no score-keeping in this family (even though I can tell who did what based on the handwriting - tee hee!). And there's space to mark the dish-washing because - well, it's obvious when the dishes haven't been washed in a while! But now (NOW!) the house gets dusted occasionally, and the floors get swept regularly. At a glance, it's easy to tell which load of laundry is the most dire and/or if it's a diaper day (they have to be washed every other day otherwise we'd have a naked LB runnin' around). If either Matthew or I has a spare five minutes (ha!) we can theoretically pick a chore (it doesn't take that long to wash a window or two) and be productive.
Are there chores that one of us typically does? Yes and no. By that, I mean we have an understanding that all chores are fair game for whoever can do it when it needs done. However! I don't think I'm exaggerating too much when I say that Matthew has cleaned the bathroom 3 times in our married life (almost five years!). And it's a well-known fact that I don't care for putting laundry away. (I'm not sure why.. hanging clothes to dry and folding don't bother me.)
Recently The Chillens have inherited a few chores of their own! When EP was an infant I sometimes wondered how and when we could start making her wash the dishes. Alas! we've had to start more slowly than that, but both children have expectations. Putting toys away, for example. Matthew is better at enforcing that one; I am too impatient. Most recently, they have been in charge of putting their own durn socks (and underwear, if you're EP) away. Why? Because I don't like putting clothes away in the first place (see above) AND (especially) because I got tired of being condemned for mixing up their socks. My generous mom-in-law buys them (and me!) funky socks, and I just can't keep it straight which pair is whose. So they do it. I re-organized the Whole Clothing System almost exclusively so that they could reach their sock compartments (and their drawers - which has come in handy since LB is now at the stage where he will not take fashion advice from anyone anymore).
Well! This has been a fun (though perhaps kind of useless) post! I'm kind of impressed with how many parentheses are in here! (Nerd.)
And, my last Thought of the Day: I deeply appreciate all of the support on my last post. It turns out that I have quite a few insecurities that I need to work through - and they all exploded out of one tiny hole. But we're/I'm good. It's a good day.
1 observations:
Can you make us a chore chart? Just kidding...kinda :)
I've admitted defeat in the dusting/vacuuming department and will be having a house cleaner once a month to do that for me starting this month - it's not cheap, but if it keeps me from freaking out then it is somewhat priceless!
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