Changing roles at home

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Yesterday afternoon Kim was venting on how she felt as if she never got a break because she comes home and the house is never clean and she has to do all the work etc. Which isn't entirely true, I do my share, although to be fair I could do more. But I started thinking that the kids, especially James and Daniel had been getting off pretty free and easy. Particularly in comparison to their buddy Jon, who has to care for chickens, weed the garden and who knows what else. So being the list making person that I am I sat down and made a list of kids chores and responsibilities. I plan to lay this out tomorrow night over dinner, making it clear why these are the rules and that this applies to everyone (yes I added some parental duties).

Here are the rules:
Boys Duties & Chores

Everyday (must do before going to bed):
1. Brush teeth, change clothes, put dirty clothes/pajamas in a hamper
2. Boys room floor is picked up
3. Rest of house except Play room are clear of toys, clothes, shoes

Weekly
1. Play room is picked up: toys are all in their correct boxes

Responsibilities & Schedule
1. Weekday Nights: Sunday through Thursday
Bed time is 8:00
Shower/bath (every other night in summer) at 7:30

2. Weekend Nights Friday and Saturday
Bed Time is 8:30
Shower/bath optional at 8:00

3. Kitchen & Meal times
When done eating dirty dishes go in dishwasher or sink, after scraping or rinsing
All trash from wrappers, juice's etc. Must go into trash
No eating indoors beyond Kitchen or dining room

James Work and allowance
1. All of the above duties and schedules must be met every day
2. Will be paid $2.00 Every Sunday after Dinner, before bath/shower
3. James has 2 jobs
Gather all of the laundry on the house every night and place in a basket in the laundry room
Collect trash from living room, dining room and bathrooms and take bags to trash can on Sundays and Wednesdays before dinner

Daniel Work and allowance
1. All of the above duties and schedules must be met every day
2. Will be paid $1.00 Every Sunday after Dinner, before bath/shower
3. Daniel has 1 job
Gather all of the recycling materials every day and put them in their bins: newspaper, plastic bags, soda cans

Here is what the Parents have to do, that is things that impact the kids lives:
Parents Rules

Everyday
1. Make breakfast, lunch & dinner (cleaning up after meals)
2. Keep laundry up (washing, drying, folding, put away)

Weekly
1. Take boys to practices & games
2. Sweep, mop kitchen & dining room
3. Vacuum living room, basement

I think it is important for the boys, James especially (budding little advocate that he is), to know that Mommy & Daddy have their responsibilities too (outside of work), and that we will meet those. And if we make it a regular habit to follow these schedules and practice the responsibilities than we should reduce parental stress and strife. We will see how it all works out.