Cheap Labor

As a mom, I am always trying to figure out how to get my kids to do their chores.  I don't care if they complain about doing them-just do them!  I often think of my favorite babysitter, Brianna, and her family (Kristy-I hope you read this).  Brianna used to tell me that their family did most of the cleaning chores on Saturday.  Her dad was the supervisor and would make them redo their chores if they didn't do them well.  Their house was always immaculate.  I wish Mario and I could get our kids to do an equally good job.  

The other day after FHE we started discussing chores for the new house.  I decided to make a list of all the chores that need to be done and I assigned a monetary value to each one.  Then I let the kids choose which ones they wanted to do (with the condition that if they didn't choose, I would choose for them.)  Well, we are on our third day and my house has never been cleaner. Erin loves to buy Breyer horses so she is motivated.  She has even asked for additional chores that aren't on the list.   

I wonder how long this will last.  Probably not much longer, but I am going to enjoy my dusted shelves, clean blinds, mopped floors, clean bathrooms, swept patio, sanitized doorknobs, etc for today.   I probably better think of incentives to keep it going.  Maybe a bonus!