I’d like to introduce you to something we call the “Job Jar,” because it’s my new little parenting miracle to help get household chores done. And to make them fun at the same time.
It’s kind of like the Joy School “Gunny Bag” who “eats left-over toys” with a twist.
The Job Jar
Like I said, this little jar works miracles I tell you.
If I see something the kids have used that they haven’t put away, or when they forget their manners, tease each other, ignore me, etc. (which happens all too often), it is just so magically easy to calmly tell them to grab an extra job from the job jar. This seems to fix things pretty quick.
I mean, who wants to get hit with an extra job every two minutes?
Apparently my kids did for the first couple days. But they are quick learners, I tell you.
If I remember to do this instead of getting all huffy and slamming a door, it does three things:
- takes all the emotion out of trying to bug kids about chores
- nudges the kids to make better choices next time so they don’t get stuck with a trip to the job jar, and
- it makes our house a lot cleaner!
And our house is much cleaner.
And I am not such a big nagger.
Last week, inspired by a fellow mama’s blog post, we added a whole slew of her ideas into that thing. I had Claire fold them up and add them to the jar.
Funny ideas to add to the job jar to make chores fun
At first she wasn’t paying attention and just started stuffing them in. But then she started reading them as she folded. As soon as she started reading what they said she perked right up:
You know it’s gonna be a good thing when her face looked like this when she found a particularly amusing one:
…and she just kept getting more and more excited as she went.
That wing-dinger hair is sure “keeping it real.”
My personal favorite is: “Rub your Dad’s head for ten minutes while telling him how thankful you are for him working so hard.”
Oh and Claire was beyond amused that one of them called for making a bed with a blindfold on…and another for making up a song about having a clean house and perform it for your family. But I think this one was her favorite:
I mean, there’s got to be some mercy in there with the punishments, right?
I couldn’t help but smile to myself that evening when she and a friend were trying to find something new to do. Claire’s eyes brightened right up. “I know! Let’s pick some jobs from our new job jar!” she suggested with glee.
Her friend looked at her kinda funny but tried to be a good sport. Five minutes later I had a scrubbed fridge and two happy girls eating a treat just as the slip of paper had directed them to do after they finished.
Yeah, I love this thing:
I’m grateful my new blogging friend reminded me jobs don’t have to be all drudgery.
The only problem is that maybe now my kids will WANT to get sent to that job jar.
But hey, if they do, I’ll sure have a sparkling house and some happy kids to show for it.
This.Is.Awesome.
I don't have children (yet), but I fully intend to use something like this when I do and they are old enough to understand it.
Fabulous. I am doing that extra job list. We have a job chore jar… it works. Love the new ideas.
What a great idea! Do you have the link to Becki's blog? I would love to see what other ideas she has.
What a lovely witty idea to have serious jobs phrased in a tongue in cheek manner. I actually think I may make one for my home…even though it's just my husband and I. Hahaha no excuses for us to be lazy when there are some fun humorous slips of paper to prompt fixing up the house. Thanks for passing on the lovely idea.
Cassie- the link is in the sentence- "(The post is here…it’s kind of like the Joy School “Gunny Bag” who “eats left-over toys” with a twist.)" Click on the word here in that sentence and it will take you to Becki's website. 🙂
I have six kids, who generally are pretty good. But lately we've hit a "stage."
I so needed this to perk up our family.
THANK YOU.
We added "turn on some music" and "give everyone in the house a hug," but somehow those get chosen every. single. time. so watch that they aren't putting extra creases in certain chores. 😉
Hi Shwani,
Once again a wonderful idea. I introduced your chores list to our kids and they are getting used to it and doing well (and even enjoying it;) I showed my oldest son this job jar idea and he is keen for it! So looks like I need to introduce this as well 🙂
Have a wonderful day and thank you for sharing!
Greetings from Moz,
Willemijn
http://www.casa-amarela-ideas.blogspot.com
Love love love this!!!
I may have to copy!
Sandy Toes
I love the looks on Claire's face, she's so excited:)
I have a question about Gunny, did your Mum & Dad ever actually take the stuff that was in Gunny to a charity shop? They said on one of my tapes that they did that. Also, would you do that?
Also, how did you get on with "Bed Throw" & have you done that with your children?
This makes me so happy today! I have been feeling kind of burned out and impatient and this is a good idea to help me find a good thing to do or say – go get a job out o the job jar instead of being angry or not knowing what to say.
-Paige
SO great to keep the dreary stuff lighthearted! Love it!
I LOVE this idea so much that I'm putting it into effect today…already got my chores cut up and put in an envelope! Thanks for this!!
Great idea–just one question. What do you do when the kids misbehave right before bed or right before you have to leave and you are already late, or in the car, etc? It seems like those are the times I need a quick emotionless consequence, but I can't think of how to make this work.