Frame your kid's chore chart

Why frame a chore chart? For one thing, it seems as though several times a week the chart would get torn off the thumbtack, and ended up underfoot. Framing the chart means that it stays in the same place on the wall, doesn't get torn off and thrown on the floor, and doesn't even get dog-eared.

However, I didn't frame it just for those reasons, great though they may be. The idea of framing the chore chart came when I wanted to find a way for my children to mark when they are done with their list every day - but don't want to have to keep printing up new charts every week.

With the chore chart under glass, the children are able to check off the box with a marker every day when they finish their morning list. A Sharpie works great for this; dry erase markers tend to be too smudgeable. On Monday, it is someone's chore to clean the checkmarks off the glass for a fresh start to the week.

The checkmarks help maintain accountability. A quick glance at the chore chart will show me who has completed their list on time. In our house, every checkmark means a point toward a prize. After the preset number of points is reached, then the child gets something they have been yearning for. (I have a stash of Webkinz for prizes, as my children find them highly motivating)! On the weekend, I will get the final count for the week from the marks on the chore chart, and write it down on the running tally for each child. Just make sure you get the final count from the previous week before it is wiped clean Monday morning!

Random inspections are held to make sure the chores are being done properly. If I find that a chore was not done well, then two points are subtracted from that person's prize tally. This keeps the children from doing a chore in a slapdash way.

A wonderful bonus of framing the kid's chore charts is that it looks great! I believe that practical things can also be beautiful. It is appropriate that an organizational tool that helps a household run smoothly should get a place of honor on the wall. Even though the frames are just simple, black dollar store purchases, I think the grouping of chore charts and table setting chart are stunning.

Try putting your kid's chore charts under glass, and see if you agree.

Photo of girl doing chores, copyright Jyn Meyer on stock.xchng