Teaching Responsibility with Age Appropriate Chores for Kids

This post contains referral links which means that if you purchase from one of my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.  Don't worry, this won't cost you any extra!

My kids have helped out around the house since they were old enough to wield a dishrag.  As they've gotten older, I've given them more responsibility.

Children thrive and grow on responsibility. Sure, it can be scary at first (think of how you felt when you first started a new job), but it gives them so much confidence in themselves. Responsibility gives kids a sense of pride and accomplishment. Side note: Have you seen the toy vacuum from Dyson that actually works? I wish something like that had been available when my kidlets were younger! Rather than telling my kids that they’re doing something to help me out, I emphasize teamwork and family.  We all work together to take care of our home because we’re a family. We all help each other, especially when someone’s not feeling well, because we’re a family.

The whole teamwork thing applies to more than just cleaning the house though. Giving kids a sense of teamwork strengthens their bonds with each other and teaches them to work with others towards a common goal. They learn to negotiate instead of just bossing people around. The benefits of learning teamwork as a child are life-long.

To give you an idea of chores that are appropriate for your kids’ ages, I put together a list. Keep in mind that it’s meant as a guideline, and you should decide chores based on your child’s specific abilities. Scroll to the bottom to find a printable version of the list.

2-3 years old

Pick up toys and put in a toybox

Unload the silverware tray in the dishwasher (make sure you take the knives and anything else sharp out first!)

Dust

Put dirty clothes in the hamper

4-5 years old

Vacuum chairs and couch with handheld vacuum

Set table

Clear table

Wash bathroom sink (with safe non-chemical cleaners)

Fold dish towels

Match socks

Put clean clothes away

Feed and water pets

Help put away groceries

Wash doorknobs

Plus everything in the previous category

6-8 years old

Sweep

Fold laundry and put away

Clean microwave

Empty and load the dishwasher

Make bed

Wash dishes by hand

Pick up sticks in yard

Clean mirrors

Plus everything in the previous categories

9-12 years old

Rake leaves

Take out trash/recycling

Cook simple meals

Laundry

Mop

Vacuum

Clean toilets

Plus everything in the previous categories

13 years old and up

Clean shower/bathtub

Clean out fridge

Mow the lawn

Shovel snow

Change bedsheets

Vacuum out the car

Plus everything in the previous categories

Right click and save to your computer to get the printable.

How do you handle chores at your house?

How I Study the Bible Using the SOAK Method

For years, I struggled with how to study my Bible.  Reading a quick two-minute devotion in the morning seemed like eating a piece of candy instead of a full meal and reading through a chapter or two of the Bible didn't really seem to stick either.  I'd put it down when I was done, and that would be it for the day.  In 2015 though, I attended a women's conference and what I learned during one of the workshops changed the way I do my devotions completely.  

Courtney Joseph, founder of Women Living Well, spoke on the topic of how to study your Bible for busy moms.  Since then, I've learned a lot about the subject (and am still learning.)

• Quality of quantity.  You don't have to power through a whole chapter of the Bible at a time.  If there are a couple of verses that stand out to you, focus on them that day.
• Every piece of Scripture is applicable to ME.
• Commentaries and study Bibles can be very helpful, but remember that they were written by people.  Fallible, imperfect people just like me.  Weigh everything you read and hear against the Bible.
• Make God part of your everyday conversation.  At first it may feel forced, but the more time you spend with Him and the more you practice making Him a part of your life, the easier it will become.
• Practice making prayer a true conversation and not just a quick "Dear God, I need this and help this person get better.  Amen."  I keep a running prayer list on my phone of praises, requests, etc.  I've also found it helpful to set my timer for five minutes and spend that time praying so I don't rush through it.

Courtney Joseph introduced me to the SOAK method of Bible study, and I've been using it ever since.  The letters in SOAK stand for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Kneel in prayer.  I've also heard it referred to as the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer) method, but I like SOAK because it reminds me that I need to soak in God's Word. 

Let's break it down a little bit more.

• S-Scripture.  This is the Scripture that you're reading that day.
• O-Observation.  This is your observations from the Scripture you read.
• A-Application.  How does this Scripture apply to you?
• K-Kneel in prayer.  Spend some time in prayer.  I usually write a short prayer regarding what I learned in my devotions that day and then spend five minutes praying through my prayer list. 

Please ignore the fact that I have super messy handwriting...this is why I normally type instead of handwriting things, lol.

 
I've found that it also helps to have some accountability.  I have a secret Facebook group for me and a couple of friends to study the Bible together, learn from, encourage, and pray for each other.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How I study the Bible using the SOAK method + Free Printables

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've had a printable devotional using the SOAK method available in my shop for a while, but I just changed the price so now it's free and always will be!  I hope you enjoy it and are able to use it to grow your relationship with Christ.  

Right click and save to your computer to get the printables.

I'd love to hear how you study your Bible.  Share your tips in the comments or on Facebook!

You might also enjoy:

The Ultimate List of Ehlers Danlos Resources

In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of passionate about raising awareness and understanding for the Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (which I've been told is now the right way to say it.)  I have this passion for five reasons.

Reasons 1-4: My kids.  Katie (10), Nano (8), Anna (6), and Davy (4) all have Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or hEDS which they inherited from me.  I want them to grow up in a world that I didn't grow up in...one that acknowledges and understands their condition and where doctors know what it is and how to treat it.

Reason 5: Everyone else with EDS.  Most people with EDS spent the majority of their lives being told it's all in their heads when that couldn't be further from the truth.  We're already at high risk for depression and suicide due to living in chronic debilitating pain and all of the other EDS symptoms.  Not being believed or understood makes everything so much worse.

So, with that in mind, I put together a list of EDS resources, printables, freebies, awareness products, etc.

Special Needs and Chronic Illness Medical Binder Printable

When Davy was in the thick of his medical complexities, I put together a binder full of information and notes that I took with me to every appointment.  I used the binder to track Davy's symptoms, log his meds and hospitalizations, record questions for upcoming appointments, and more.  It was pretty basic...loose notebook paper shoved in plastic sheet protectors and held together in a 3 ring binder.  Nothing fancy, but it helped me stay organized and on top of Davy's care needs, especially when we switched health care providers.

Then, last year, Davy along with two of his siblings and I, were all diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. 

30 Random Acts of Kindness to Do With Your Kids

This post contains referral links which means that if you purchase from one of my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.  

Update 12/7/2020: I've received a lot of comments and feedback on this post and I wanted to address some of them. First of all, I live in a small rural town where homemade treats are the norm, but I understand that that's not the case for everyone. That's okay! Just substitute store bought treats and you're good to go. This list is meant to give you some ideas of various things you can do with your kids. Adapt it as needed to make it work for you, your kids, and your community. Not everything needs to include spending money or giving it away. One of the best random acts of kindness your kids can do is to be kind to others. Also, for those worried that people might think finding things in public places is "creepy" or accidental, make sure you're including a "random acts of kindness" card with them so the meaning is understood.

I want to do something with the kids this Christmas that encourages them to put others first and focus on the real reason of Christmas.  After being inspired by this book, I put together a list of 30 random acts of kindness that I can do with them at Christmas and all year round!

I thought it would be a good idea to leave a little note with each random act of kindness so I created this printable sheet of cards to cut up.  I plan to print mine on card stock to make them a little more heavy duty.  I'm also going to print extras to keep in my wallet for those times when I come across an opportunity to do a random act of kindness unexpectedly :)  If you don't feel like making your own, you can buy some really cute ones here.

Right click and save to your computer to get the printable.

  

How to Get Kids to Clean Their Rooms Without Complaining

If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you probably heard about #ourfuncleaningday.  Quite a few people asked for more details on it so here you go!


I came up with the idea on Friday.  The kids' rooms were so messy that they were in danger of being listed as a national disaster, and I was planning to spend all day Saturday making sure they cleaned them.  I was prepared for a day of whining, crying, and procrastinating that would probably end with everyone super grouchy and barely a dent in the mess.

And then it hit me.  The best motivator for kids is to make things fun for them, right?  So why couldn't we make a fun day out of it?

Pledge of Allegiance Printable

Happy Fourth of July!!  I hope you all are able to spend some time relaxing with your families today.

To celebrate this day, here's a free Pledge of Allegiance printable.  Enjoy!

Right click and save to your computer to get the printable.

85 Totally Awesome Summer Activities for Kids + a Printable

This post contains referral links which means that if you purchase from one of my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.  

When I was asked the question for the 874th time that day, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Well, if you're so bored, go clean your room!"

Yeah, that went over well with the child who had posed the question. *insert sarcasm here*

About 1 1/2 days into summer break, I realized that I needed a plan which meant that I needed a list.

Surviving and Thriving When Things Get Tough

Last week was tough.  It was exhausting, heart-breaking, joyful, and tough.

On Monday, I spent almost 8 hours in the car driving Katie to her very first week of summer camp.  As I dropped her and her luggage off at her cabin, I had to ask her for a hug before I left.  Then she was all, "Love you, Mom. Bye." before she walked into her cabin without a backward glance.  I stood outside for a minute trying to absorb what had just happened.  Did my sweet little 8 year old really leave me for a week that easily?  Where were the tears?  Where were the extra hugs as she tried to keep me there as long as possible.  Was this really it?

My Newsletter and 5 FREE Printables!

Who loves printables? *raises hand*  Who loves getting stuff for free? *raises hand and waves frantically in the air*

Everything I've read about blogging in the last couple of months has emphasized the importance of having an email newsletter so I finally bit the bullet and designed one :)

It will be sent out once a week and include a recap of the last week's blog posts, a personal note from me, occasional freebies and special deals that will only be available to my subscribers, and more!

Everyone who subscribes will receive these 5 free printables in PDF form.