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A Chart For Everything
by Kayla Fay
For every season, check, check, check. There is a chart, check, check,
check. And a chart can replace some of your nagging.
A chart for chores
A chart for grades
A chart for homework
A chart for hygiene
A chart for tracking tv
A chart for everything….
I used to spend all of my seasons nagging. The song at our home used to
sound like this: “Ron, did you brush your teeth? Joe, is your snack in
your book bag? Mike, are your gym clothes ready? Ash, have you done your
reading log? Ron, did you finish your math? Ron, did you vacuum the
living room? Joe, did you do your social studies? Joe, is the trash at
the street? Mike, did you clean the bathroom? Ash, are the dishes put
away? Ron, did you brush your teeth…”
We had no time of silence and no time of peace. The constant sound of my
voice annoyed ME, and I know it annoyed my kids. Multiply four kids,
eight daily responsibilities, about three reminders per task, and I was
averaging close to 100 nags per day. Since we posted the chart, I only
have to ask, “Is your chart done?” Even on bad days, nagging is only a
fraction of what it was before.
During school, we have chores for daily work and charts for weekend
work. In the summer we have a chore chart and a very popular television
spreadsheet. The boys make their own charts for homework and grades. I
also have charts for me; keeping up with what is required of me is hard
to remember. Charts can be prepared on a spreadsheet or word document
with chores and tasks written. Visual learners may benefit from charts
generated using pictures. Whatever the method, charts can provide a
tangible reminder that will make the difference between a task being
completed, left hanging, or forgotten.
Give every season a chart, and you may discover that it will help you
find more time, including a time to speak of something besides chores
and homework!
*We have an Excel spreadsheet with examples of different types of charts
that I’d be happy to send you. Send an email to charts2@goaskmom.com and
request this free resource.
About the author
Kayla Fay is the publisher of “Who Put the Ketchup in the Medicine
Cabinet?” She and her husband live in North Carolina with their four
sons and a burping bird. Visit Kayla at
www.goaskmom.com.
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