| I have worked as an in-home counselor with families | | | | taking out garbage, folding and putting away laundry, |
| for many years. My main referrals are families that | | | | dusting and vacuuming. There is also keeping bedroom |
| have a child with mental health needs. The behaviors | | | | areas tidy and helping with grocery shopping or the |
| of the child or children are so disruptive to the family | | | | putting away of groceries. |
| routine that the family contracts with my agency to | | | | My ideal of working with a chore chart is that |
| have me come directly to the family home to help deal | | | | everyone participates because they are a member of |
| with the issues. | | | | the family. For some children we may tie in allowance |
| The first thing that I try to establish with the family is a | | | | money or additional privileges for the completion on |
| routine. So many times these families have been | | | | tasks to begin with, but then teach them the |
| spending so many hours in meetings about their child | | | | importance of completing the chore chart because the |
| that they have not established a routine. We discuss | | | | things need to be done and it is the responsible thing to |
| what needs to be done each day and what time | | | | do as a member of the family. |
| frames work for each family. I explain to the parents | | | | Most often it is the parents that want to tie a reward |
| that it is important that each child no matter what their | | | | in with the chore chart. Many parents have a hard time |
| age, needs to be included in the tasks. The easiest | | | | expecting help with household responsibilities from their |
| way of doing with is by developing a chore chart. I like | | | | children. Part of my job is to help parents understand |
| to include everyone on the chore chart. Even the | | | | that they need to teach these life skills to their children |
| youngest child can be involved with picking up toys. | | | | so that they will value having these things done when |
| The chore chart is established for a week and with | | | | they move out on their own. The children are more |
| families with older children I just have them rotate | | | | invested in working on the chore chart if the parents |
| which tasks they are going to do each week. The | | | | are also written on the chart and are expected to |
| tasks on the chore chart are things that the family | | | | complete tasks. Many great conversations can be had |
| identifies as important to them. There are the standard | | | | with a child while completing tasks together. |
| tasks of washing dishes, helping with meal preparation, | | | | |