Make a Door Knob Chore Chart

I saw several door knob chore charts on Pinterest a while ago and stuck it in my mental “one day” list. Well, last weekend I saw chalkboard paint and alphabet stamps staring at me from my craft supplies (it didn’t hurt that I have four wooden door hangers just waiting to be used) and I went to work. I thought it would be fun to make the door hanger, but didn’t have high hopes that it would make cleaning up easier for P. Everything I’ve tried to help P learn to clean up without so much resistance, has failed. I’m not even talking chores, just not leaving a path of destruction in the house. So far this one (whisper it, cross your fingers and knock on wood) is working.

It could be working for a number of reasons:

1. My desperation is starting to show and he’s really just terrified that I’ll finally go over the edge.
2. He’s old enough to recognize what a mess he’s making.
3. He understands that our home is a shared space and we all have to do our part.
4. He feels good completing all five tasks.
5. The clothespins are enormously appealing.

While I would love to think it’s numbers 2 & 3, it’s more likely that 4 & 5 are the answer. P has always been a physical person so squeezing and moving the clothes pin once he’s finished a task is more rewarding than say checking it off on a chart (anything that has moving parts is better in his book).

One day maybe we’ll try it with chores, but for now we’ll start with things I need him to do cajoling and without arm twisting.