chore bucket

A few months ago I saw a good parenting idea on a website. I think it might have been over at the Works for Me Wednesday blog which is by a Christian lady who posts household tips every Wednesday. Anyway, we've decided to incorporate the "Chore Bucket" (aka paper covered coffee can). Lately Jon and I have been trying to figure out a way to have the kids do chores in addition to the ones they do each morning, like make their beds, clean up their rooms, put away clothes, etc. I'm not very good about remembering to have the kids help with other things on a regular basis until the little jobs have piled up. The funny thing is the kids really like to help, so what's my problem?? So here's the plan; every morning after breakfast they pick a job from the bucket and then do the same thing after dinner. They don't have to do their job perfectly, they just have to do their best. Here is what we have in our bucket so far:

• sweep the front steps
• help mom change the sheets on your bed
• find 10 things things to put away
• mom's choice
• tidy the art table
• clean the front of the refrigerator
• dust a room of your choice
• scoop the litter box
• your choice
• dust the living room
• help with laundry
• vacuum the stairs with the dust buster
• put shoes away into shoe closet
• wipe the outsides of the toilets
• wipe down the bathroom sinks
• clean the bathroom mirrors
• help with dishes
  

So far we've had an enthusiastic response to the chore bucket which makes things a little bit more pleasant. :) In fact they've been so pleasant about it that I've wondered if they should be doing more...hmmm. I would love to know what other people do or have in place to have their kids help out around the house!