Luck of the Draw
The Job Jar Household Chore system was created in 1989, when my amazing son was 5 and my beautiful daughter was 11.
Talk about two different worlds!
Learned early on that I could resolve most of the sibling conflict, if I had the kids pick a number or draw a straw.
Bottom line you picked it … you own it. — Pretty effective … although … that’s not to say that someone didn’t start throwing themselves around because they wanted to sweep out the garage. Truth.
The Luck of the Draw was the catalyst for creating the “Job Jar” Household Chore System and it really works!
The “Job Jar” household chore system has been used as curriculum for college level child development courses & corporate Organizational Effectiveness Training seminars & can be adapted for ages toddler and up.
SIDEBAR: I’m always asked how I came up with all of the jobs … honestly … they represent every single one of the chores that *I was trying to conquer myself. *This is no time to judge me. I was a classic enabler. My daughter didn’t even dress herself until she was 6.
- With the very first Job Jar system in hand, I gathered the family around the table and shared the list of chores for the week. The kid’s found the Job Cards and dropped them into the Job Jar.
ANOTHER SIDEBAR: I was more than a little surprised at how excited the kids were during the process and I was even more blown away, watching them take immediate ownership of their CHORE CHARTS and REWARD CENTERS.
- We discussed allowance, rewards and the points that it would take for them to earn those fabulous prizes. They feverishly jotted it down on their Reward Centers.
Everyone had a chance, including my husband to pick a couple “Job Cards” out of the “Job Jar.” The Job Card jobs were added everyone’s chore chart under Weekly Chores. Daily Chores, are just that, Daily Chores:)
That first week I watched my family banish dust bunnies, feed the dogs, clean out the garage, rake leaves, jackets hung, backpacks put away, homework finished, teeth brushed, beds made and the kitchen sink never looked so good.
Committed to 21 days and after that the chores started to become a habit … what more could a mother ask for? Sure we went backwards a few times … but hey … something is better than nothing!
BE GENTLE, PATIENT & MOST OF ALL … CONSISTENT: Rewarding behavior, while teaching the habit of becoming responsible, is the SECOND most important part of this learning process.
The FIRST is trying to remember that no one cleans like you do!
Lighten up and see the good in the work. ALWAYS A WORK IN PROGRESS!
Until it becomes a part of life …. follow the directions and keep moving forward. You can do this!
KISS
The easiest way to put the”Job Jar”to use in 15 minutes or less:
- Click here to find the printable the “Job Jar” Family Chore System.
- Find a wide mouth jar large enough to stick your hand into … hats work too!
- Have a family meeting. Sort through the Job Cards that represent the weekly chores.
- Drop the Job Cards into the Job Jar,
- Have everyone take a turn picking a Job Card from the Job Jar, or hat.
- Everyone should hold onto their card(s) until they have a copy of the …
- Weekly Chore Chart that they can call their very own.
- Write the Weekly Job Card task(s) onto the Chore Chart from the card(s) chosen.
- Return Job Cards to jar for next weeks drawing.
- Check off the Daily Chores already listed on the Chore Chart, as they are completed.
- Add up totals at the end of your week.
- Reward, based on your value system.
- Start again.
Quite Simply the Easiest Way to Get Things Done!
