Chore Charts and Challenges

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.  Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,  and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,  and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Titus 2:1-8

With this in mind we are giving Little A a chore chart.  She is only two but she is a brilliant little girl and is really enjoying doing whatever she is able to do on her own.
We are trying not to do for her what she can do for herself. In doing that she is learning to be persistent : 

for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,    but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.Proverbs 27:16 

Our rule of thumb is that she must try twice on her own first before asking for help. Then we will guide her with words or a little assistance and we try not to take over entirely. When it is entirely necessary, we will take over but we try to walk her through what we are doing so that she can try on her own next time. 

Little A's chore chart has 3 divisions: 

1. Chores respecting her body. 

     ..your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. You are not your own.1 Corinthians 6:19


2. Chores respecting our Home and Things in it.

For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 
Hebrews 3:4

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17


3. Chores respecting Others.

Love each other as Christian brothers. Show respect for each other.
Romans 12:10 


She knows that all she does needs to be done as if for the Lord and we will expect her to really try to do the chores to the best of her abilities. There is always room for growth and change and she will get better at her tasks as she learns. 

Each chore will first be explained and exampled by us so that she knows the safe and proper way to do them. (The chart says "I put away the Dishes" but she actually only does the cutlery right now, and really just spoons and forks and baby cutlery)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Colossians 3:23

I made two charts for the chores (Click Here for just Words, and Here for the Chart with Pictures), one with just words and one that I attempted to put pictures on.  I printed out both charts and put them in a self sealing laminating pouch.  
The plan was to use littler star stickers when Little A completed a chore then at the end of the week I would just peel them off and start again.    But then I decided that I really don't want to deal with sticking and then peeling off all those stickers every week.  
So with the laminated charts I can easily use a wet erase marker (dry erase will wipe off too easily) and then wipe them off at the end of the week.  I do need to find a more exciting color than black though, it is rather boring. 

Examining the charts for the first time. (and guessing at what each chore is)

Drawing on her own reward marks.

Little A making the bed and E man climbing onto it.

And up he goes laughing the whole time.

Standing back in frustration saying, "No, I am making my bed!"

Trying to clean up her books with the little man trying to take them out.

Proud of herself for getting them all in and the lid on. 

Little A loved her little chores. She was so excited about the chart and getting to write on it herself.  
We will see if the excitement continues as the week goes on.