Chores...Ugghhhh

I have tried many different ways to get my kids to clean up, I have taken away ALL of their toys (which is what has currently happened...again). I have grounded them from T.V. and video games (they have just recently been able to watch t.v. again but are still grounded from video games for another month). I have tried bribing them with money, making them wash walls, making them do extra chores...but NOTHING seems to work.

I believe my problem has always been that I have not been very consistent in making them clean up regularly...like on a daily basis, or possibly not instantly following through with the consequence. So, I have created 6 daily chores that need to be done every day...

1. Kids bedroom: put everything away

2. Bathroom: put everything away, wipe down the counter top, and clean the mirror

3. Hall: put everything away and take laundry out (our laundry hamper is in the hall)

4. T.V. Room: put everything away and clean the couches (inside and under)

5. Office: put everything away and clean off desk

6. Kitchen: Clean up floor, wipe down counter tops, and put away clean dishes

Tuesdays are early out days which means the boys have more time to do chores, so I added 2 more chores for these days...

1. Laundry: help put laundry away (Tuesdays have now become our main laundry day)

2. Sweep and mop the floors (kitchen and bathroom)

Every night the boys 'draw' a chore (they don't know which one they are getting) for the next day. However, they also draw a consequence also. If they do not get their chore done by the time it is bedtime...a consequence will happen. The 8 consequences I choose are...

1. No T.V. for 1 week

2. No video games for 1 week

3. Clean the toilet

4. Do someone else chore the next day

5/6 Wash 5 walls and baseboards

7/8 Mom/Dad chooses

Mom and Dad have chores as well and the kids were able to choose our consequences (they enjoyed doing that). Since Daddy is so busy, his main chore is the trash (and taking it out on trash day). His consequences are, no video games for 1 week and no soda for 2 weeks. My main chore is the kitchen, to have ALL of the dishes washed and my consequences are 10 walls and baseboard and no t.v. for 2 weeks.

Today is Day 1 and so far so good. We talked about helping each other out and that it is ok to remind each other to get their chore done. Reid volunteered to take the recycling can out to the curb for daddy and Lliam volunteered to clean the couches for Reid. PLUS...Reid reminded me that they needed to draw chores for tomorrow...I think this just might work. Granted it is the first day, but it got me to get ALL of the dishes washed!