Behavior and Chore Charts in the Command Center

My husband and I sat down this weekend to make a behavior and chore chart for the kids that rewarded them with allowance and more (or less) “screen” time.  (Screen time can be TV, computer, iPads, iPhones, and/or tablets.)

Creating this project definitely combined the Organizer, Teacher, Mother, and Crafter in me!  And I think it is just what my family needed.

We started with the behavior chart.  I got this idea from my daughters Kindergarten classroom.  This is very similar to what her teacher uses.  Each day, the kids start on “Green” and have the chance to move up or down.  

If they stay on green, they get one star for the day (more on stars later), and get to use screens at 6:00 the next day.  If they go up a color, they earn more stars.  Blue = 2 star, Purple = 3 stars, and Sparkle = 4 stars.  If they go down, they loose screen time and don’t get any stars.  Yellow = screens at 7:00, Red = no screens at all (grounded from screens).  

They can only move one space at a time.  If they move down, they can always move back up at some point during the day and vice versa.  Where they end up at the end of the day determines their color for that day.  

Chores

Their regular chores do not earn them any stars.  However, they can move up on the behavior chart for doing their chores without being asked, not complaining, etc.  They can also move down on the chart for not doing chores, complaining, etc.  My biggest problem with chores was the attitude and so far this is helping. :)

Regular chores for them during school days and weekends are:

• Get Dressed
• Brush Teeth
• Comb Hair
• Feed the Dog
• Dishes away from the dishwasher
• Toys put away
• Rooms Clean
• Dishes on the counter after dinner (one child)
• Vacuum under the table (other child)
• Homework
• Shower

If they do extra chores, they can earn extra stars.  Extra chores are:

• Clean Baseboards (2 stars each room)
• Wipe Bathroom surfaces (1 star)
• Fill Water Bottles (1 star)
• Help Make Dinner (1 star)
• Get School Snack (1 star)
• Water Garden (1 star)
• Get Mail (1 star)
• Make Bed (1 star)
• Vacuum Couches (2 stars)
• Vacuum Floor (1 star)

Stars

Now here is the fun, rewarding part!  When the weekend comes they get to use their stars.  5 starts will earn them either $1 allowance OR 1 extra hour of extra screen time.  

The current screen time for weekdays is after 6:00.  But only if their homework and chores are done and they have already taken a shower.  On the weekends they can have screens from 9:00 - noon or after 6:00 (if we are home).

They can earn one star a day for doing well in school.  Each child has a behavior plan in their classrooms.  If they get a positive report in their folder or agenda, they get one star.  The second way to earn stars is from the behavior chart at home, or doing extra chores.

Modifications

Disclaimer for the kids:  Mommy and Daddy have the right to change this policy at ANY TIME.  We did actually said that to them at the family meeting to discuss this new plan. :)

Also, when the summer comes and they are not in school, chores and screen usage will change.  

Crafting

Next came the fun part for Mommy... creating the chart and bulletin board to add to our command center. 

I used only items that I had in the house.  I could probably go crazy shopping and make things super amazing, but I did what I could with what I had.

The color behavior chart started with a piece of yellow paper.  Then I cut and glued on the other colors.  That is it!  I used spray glue to get an even application.  

The magnets for the color chart are plain magnets that I had on the fridge.  I printed a K and R on copy paper and cut them in a circle.  I used Mod Podge to glue them on the magnets and used another layer of Mod Podge on the top for a shiny finish. 

The bulletin board is a plain one I had found at Goodwill for Christmas Cards and birthday cards.  I painted the outside so it wasn’t a plain brown.  I used a red and brown mixture to make the maroon color that matches some of the decor in our house.    I added a layer of sparky paint for fun.  :)  

I used scrapbook paper as a background.  I slid the paper under the edges of the wooden boarder so that I didn’t have to glue it or tack it on.  Once I put all the other items on the board... it is not going to move!

I have a section to mark how many stars they get each day.  It is a quarter sheet of paper over a sparkly piece of paper.  That way it will be easy to replace and I can even use recycled paper.  

For every 5 stars, they get a thumb tack with a colored star on it.  That way, on Saturday, they know how many dollars or hours they have earned. 

The bottom corned of the bulletin board is for our weekly calendar.  I use Cozi calendar so all I have to do is print it on the weekend and pin it to the board.  Click here to check out Cozi.  Cozi also has an App.

To post the “extra chores” I used wooden clothes pin and painted one side of it the same color as the border on the bulletin board.  I also added a layer of sparkly paint after it dried.  I printed the chore list on copy paper and used Mod Podge to glue them on the clothes pins.  Then another layer of Mod Podge on the top.  

The stars show how many stars they earn for that particular chore.

I used some yellow flower ribbon to separate some of the sections and left one area free for extra things.  Currently there is an invitation to a birthday party this weekend on it.  

We have been using this plan for 5 days now.  So far so good!  And it is not much work to keep it up.  My favorite part is when they get to move up to another color for doing good things.  

I hope this helps you to create your own!

How Can Being Organized Save You Money?

Keeping your home organized can help you save money in several ways:

1.  If your things are organized, it is easier to keep a mental inventory of what you have and where your things are in your home.  When you need something, you will be able to find it.  This will save you money because you won't have to buy another one.

2.  Keeping your food organized will prevent you from being overstocked.  It will prevent food waste that has become expired or rotten before you use it.

3.  By keeping your paperwork organized you are more likely to pay your bills on time and avoid late fees and charges.

4.  Everyone has heard that time = money.  If you are disorganized you can spend a lot of time looking for things in your home.  Being organized can save you time, which equals money.

5.  When you are organized with your time and calendar, you can optimize your errands so that you save time and gas money!

6.  You can save money by shopping sales.  You may have the time to shop sales and ads when you are organized and optimizing your time.

7.  And lastly, being organized can actually help you to earn money!  Through the sale of things that you no longer need, want, or use.  

These are just a few ways that being organized can save you time and money.  I would love to hear of other way that being organized has saved YOU money.

Clare

Moving

Growing up in a family of 6, I liked to keep my personal space organized.  More organized than anyone else in the family.  This started my interested and love of organizing.  But it was all the times that I have moved during my life that have made me into a better organizer.

In fact, I can list 20 places that I have called home in the first 33 years of my life.  Some of the places I lived a very short amount of time.  Others were years.  But I have become very good at moving, packing, and organizing!  I can not remember all of the addresses that I have lived, but here are what I call them:

Termin Avenue (this one I was too little to remember), State Avenue, Ridge Avenue, Christmas Place, West Swallow Drive, P.E. East Dorm, Lawrenceville, GA, Commons on Apache Apartments, Boston, MA, Dorsey Lane, Cami's extra bedroom, Condo on Mill Ave., Paul's upstairs bedroom, Rental in Mesa, Dobson Ranch, Glendale rental, Camp Davis, Bridgeport Parkway, Rock Street Rental, and my current home (for the past 2.5 years)

By the way, I plan on living in my current house for many, many years!

Here are some moving and packing tips I have learned along the way:

1.  For weeks or months leading up to your moving date, ask for your groceries to be bagged in paper bags.  You can cut and use those bags to pack breakable items in your house, especially in your kitchen.  It is a good way to repurpose and re-use.

2.  One of the first things you can pack are the small pictures around the house and decorative pieces. You can use your extra towels, blankets, tablecloths, and sheets to wrap around these breakable items.

3.  In the kitchen, try to pack all the breakable items first.  Keep the plastic and non breakable items in your cabinets until the very end.  That way, you will still have dishes to use but can pack them quickly the day before you move... or even the morning of the move.  If you don't have many plastic plates, cups or bowls, you can pick some up at the dollar store and not waste any paper plates.  When you arrive at your new home, you can use that same plasticware until you open the other boxes.

4.  Pack your suitcases as if you were going on vacation.  Include toiletries and clothes for a few days.  That way, when you arrive to your new home, you don't have to un-pack anything to service the first few days.  No rummaging around to find the toothpaste!

5.  While you are packing, get rid of things!  There is no sense in moving something that you don't need or use anyway.  You can also have a "Moving Sale" with these items and earn some extra cash.

6.  Label your boxes!  The most important thing to write on the box is what room it should go into.  You can also list the major things in the box.

Moving is a great time to organize what you own.  And now the next time you see a moving sale... you might stop by.

Clare