Tips and List of Chores Chart for Stay at Home Moms

Stay at home moms are most often home by choice. They choose to raise their own children. As noble as this aspiration sounds the daily grind of being at home with the children can cause moms to loose focus or fall into a state boredom. Setting up a system of organization structure, goals and schedules will give mom's a sense of accomplishment and their children a sense of security.

Structure your personal errands, housework, activities, appointments and more with the help of a calendar. You can make your own calendar or purchase a beautiful and useful Calendar for display.

To begin calendar planning

• write out all of the things you must do on a piece of paper.
• Take each item and place it on your calendar for the month.
• Make sure to add family birthdays and anniversaries too.

Structuring your ‘to do’ list will de-clutter your brain and bring a sense of order and purpose to your days.

I have posted a couple of my all time favorite Calendars - Lang's Calendars. I purchased one of their wood calendar holders or frames which is proudly displayed in my kitchen. Lang has so many choices and when you place the calendar in the wood frame (which is also posted) it becomes a work of art as well. If the pictures displayed, at the right, are not your style - please click on one of the calendars to be taken to the very affordable Amazon site.  Amazon will show you a host of other specially designed calendars with themes ranging from elegant to folk art. The pictures are so beautiful that I have even taken some of the pictures (I purchased a children themed calendar) and framed them for my play room after the year was over.

If you make a one time purchase of a wood calendar frame you can interchange other brands of calendars as well. I have even painted my frame. It was once navy blue and matched my decor. When my decor changed I spray painted it a forest green - it looks GREAT and you can't even tell I did it myself. :-) I am posting some floral calendars that will fit the Lang calendar frame - in case you too are a flower lover, like me.

As a stay-at-home mom you have the opportunity to set goals for your child and make it happen.

Responsibility is a character quality that will benefit your child for the rest of their life. One way to build personal responsibility into your child's life is to give them chores that they are responsible to do.

I suggest developing a chore chart which lists the chores each child is responsible for. Getting Ready for your Chore Chart:

• The first thing to do is plan a time to sit down with your children and make a list of chores together.
• Ask for the kids input ... this will make them feel part of the process and to buy into the idea.
• Let the kids name the various tasks that need to be done each day or once a week.
• When your chart is finished, display it in a place the child can easily reach so they can check off each chore when it is completed. \

The chart will be a stress reliever for you and a motivational tool for the kids. When a chart is utilized

• You won't need to nag your children.
• They will be using their own initiative as they check off one chore at a time and
• They will feel a real sense of accomplishment with the completion of each task.

It's a perfect way to teach personal responsibility.

As you work with and focus on your children ... don't forget to take care of yourself. When a mom's personal needs are met she is better equipped to care for, direct and nurture her family.

Make sure you take time out to spend with your friends to laugh and share your heart. Take time for special dates with your husband. Pamper yourself with things that bring you pleasure. Do the things that you have always enjoyed.

Develop your own talents and ability's. Do you have future goals?  One day the children will be grown and on their own. It is important that you have an ongoing journey of developing yourself. Do you play piano? ... practice piano and set the example for your children. Are you a writer? squeeze out a period of time each day to develop those skills and then share it with your children - they will learn to appreciate their mom's unique gift's and abilities. Learn new skills or further your education. Consider taking one class a semester from a local college. As the children watch your quest to develop yourself they will naturally catch the vision of and forward to become all they were meant to be.

Staying at home will bring great rewards as you take the time to map out your journey and implement your plan.

CHORE LIST SUGGESTIONS

• making bed
• doing homework
• picking up toys
• setting the table
• taking dishes to sink
• rinse dishes
• doing dishes
• taking out garbage
• dance
• practicing piano
• practice dance
• practice taekwondo
• practice basketball
• reading
• sweeping floors
• folding clothes
• vacuuming
• dusting
• recycleables
• making a family meal
• caring for pets

Assign age appropriate tasks and increase responsibility as the child grows.