I've been wrestling with the mid-life hormone beast lately. Lately it had me down, but I'm still in the match! One of the reasons was a universal issue in probably 99.99% of all families with teens ... household chore duties! No surprise there.
Have you, were you consistent with getting your kids to do chores as part of the family? In high school?
Are you, were you able to be cheerful throughout this 'wonderful' phase?
Not.
If you are not Florence Henderson, please sit down. If you are, you're not real.
Anyway, I mean not just things only for themselves such as doing their laundry or making their lunch. I mean things that help the family like tidying up after dinner, sweeping the living room rug, or raking the leaves.
So am I completely delusional to think that the kids get on board with being more of a family team? Ok, sort of. I was HORRIBLE at this age, I admit. Worse than my own kids. Which makes me want to get through this in a BETTER way.
Ok, so here's the scene:
We had a monthly job chart. Each kid had several jobs to do (some jobs daily, some weekly, etc.) Their monthly account started at $20 which got deductions of $1 or $2 for jobs not done on time.
It worked for a few months but by the third or fourth repeat, guess what. Things were not getting done, Mom (me) was doing the jobs. The kid was still able to 'earn' some dollars because deductions were not made consistently.
I got discouraged, angry, a bad vibe lived in the house. My hormones wreaked havoc 
So I wrote on our job chart 'PROGRAM SUSPENDED - BRING NEW IDEA TO DINNER TUES NIGHT'
Instead of ranting at the dinner about how the program has failed I just brought up a fix:
--- Start the month at zero and earn dollars for each job done ---
OK, we had a little Republican vs Democrat stand off!! (guess who wouldn't negotiate?). We had a laugh with that and moved forward with writing up jobs and their price, how to track jobs honestly, and the cap on earnings for example.
It was a successful meeting (take THAT washington).
Here is a sneak peak at our chart:
I am so relieved to have turned this corner. Will it be a long term success? I don't know, perhaps in 3 to 6 months down the road another idea will have to be developed. But to go another few months in a more positive atmosphere is very important.
So any app writers want to make this into a great product and sell for millions? just make me a deal.
Calling all App writers! my idea, your code: Family Chore Genie
October 16th, 2013 at 07:41 pm
October 16th, 2013 at 08:37 pm 1381952263
We are starting our kids young in hopes that they will just be use to it when they get older. Right now our daughter actually enjoys doing the chores, because she likes to help right now. I am hoping that if we start them at an age they can enjoy their chores, they may never HATE them - although I'm sure they will someday. We'll see how it goes!
October 16th, 2013 at 08:58 pm 1381953509
Each of us chose tasks we're ok doing. We pay for organizing, repairing, returning, heavy yard work and task that aren't routine. Saturday AM chores, no more than 2 hours, are divided by wet & dry, teamed with either mom or dad. If DSs have plans for Saturday, we start two hours before they need to leave.
October 16th, 2013 at 11:28 pm 1381962524
As they got older, there were times they certainly didn't want to them (DD2 in particular).
They did receive an allowance (but not if chores weren't done).
My solution: Take away privleges (tv, computer/internet (except for homework)no going anywhere except school and/or sports practice/games.... and the big one? Their phones. That worked like a charm
Even though both my kids are away at college (DD2 in her 1st year), they will always be expected to help out when they come home....DD1 would NEVER expect not too and has always done them willingly and cheerfully.
There is no way I am going to work almost full time (DH too) and have them laying around on their behinds doing nothing
Good luck!
October 16th, 2013 at 11:58 pm 1381964322