There was public outcry!!!
Okay, well that is a slight exaggeration.
Just a couple of kids requested it back.
I guess they like taking the risk that even though they may get one of the not so desired chores, they may quite possibly pick out one of the sticks that says, "Lucky you-no chore" or "Hug Mom and tell her you love her."
Somehow, knowing they could have chosen the 'lucky you' or 'hug mom' stick makes the tasks seem so much more bearable than simply the same old chore every day.
My friend over at Power of Moms, asked me to make a video of some of our family systems and submit it for the site. We decided to make a video of our S---Y Cent Program/Store, but I CAN NOT believe how many attempts it took to make the video. It was an absolute nightmare. We had a screaming toddler, a belligerent grade-schooler and a pre-schooler picking (and eating) boogers. ALL ON CAMERA!
My pride prevented me from sending in that video, so Luke and I attempted a simple video with just one child. (Except Drew still insisted on being heard in the background...)
If you can believe it. This is the child that pleaded and begged for the Pick A Chore System return and here he is on video telling me he doesn't like it????!!!!! I was pretty mad when I turned off the camera, but considering I was on my 3,487th try to get a decent family system video, I was not going to do it over. Even if I could have staged it all very nicely. It is what it is. It is our reality. (Luke's off-camera reply when I asked him why he said he doesn't like it, "Mom, what kid does like chores?")
Oh well. We now have a permanent record of our Pick A Chore System. It works well for us, even though we did begin doing 'same old chores every day' last month. It's a new family system this school year, and I'm thinking my kids are hoping it's one of those systems that won't last...
Oh, and by the way, Mike just recently came up with a grand idea for a new family system, that we are going to implement during our Saturday Cleaning Hour. It has something to do with toy money, a list of chores, and an auction. We'll see how it goes...
Love it! Ugh. I have to get something started again. My rotating wheel just ain't cutting it anymore.
ReplyDeleteI hope you won't be mad when I tell you that I found this SO funny and was laughing out loud. It is EXACTLY how my family would be.
ReplyDeleteBut I love this pick-a-chore idea and it shall definitely be tried in our home. Our kids all have a special area that they are in charge of that fits their age, but getting any one to do any extra is the biggest chore of all.
Love your ideas and love how you always tell it as it is.
Oh and love you too. x
I thought you both did a great job! It turned out very well! Too bad I didn't have this idea years ago!
ReplyDeleteHilarious that he said no in the video. I love that you are honest that the video making process was a disaster! I can imagine it would be that way here too. That's reality, isn't it? Well, keep us posted on Mike's new idea for Saturday. Sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteHehe. My favorite part of the video after you ask why is definitely the reply of "If you want to be in this family" If I had known that all it took to get a new family is not doing your chore maybe I wouldn't have done it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. For when my mom sees this comment. I know that I didn't always do my chores and still don't; but I would never ever trade for another family :D
I love the tone of your voice. I can tell how irritated you are! Luke is darling and knows how to work.
ReplyDelete