The Consequence Chore System 

Sharing is caring!

Are you looking for some solutions to help you take naughty choices and turn them into being productive and helpful?

I have a card system that I use when my oldest boys get in trouble. This consequence chore system for kids works pretty seamlessly. I have a ton of other great cleaning tips and tricks!

I have a set of approximately 15 index cards and each one has a chore written on it. The chores are the things I seem to never get around to. You know, the things that can never be done too many times with this many people living in one house. I realized I could create a system to delegate and teach some natural consequences.

The chore that is written on each card will keep one little boy busy for about 15-30 minutes. Depending on how focused they are and how long they want to drag it out. These chores encourage focus, while allowing him to work with his hands, and gives time to reflect. Perfect for my boys!

AND, it helps me as they contribute to he household.

This is not to say they do not have traditional chores that are expected of them on a regular basis like: cleaning their room, picking up after themselves, helping pickup the living room, etc.

Here is what you will need: 

The following contain affiliate links. That simply means that if you purchase, I make a small amount at no extra cost to you.

• 15-20 index cards
• an index card holder
• a marker or a pen

The Consequence Chore System 

This is how the consequence chore system works at our house.

Grab your index cards and your marker or pen. On each card you will write a household chore (or a small set of related chores) you would like to delegate. Improvise as needed, but here is a list of the chores we have included:

1) Clean the baseboards in the bathroom . Wipe down the side of the tub (outside part) and wipe down the shower glass doors with glass cleaner.

2) Clean the bathroom mirrors glass cleaner and wipe down the bathroom sink and counter top with our counter cleaner. 

3) Pair up socks for 30 minutes. We have a sock basket.… something I never ever recommend starting.

4) Clean the inside of the toilet with wand and cleaner and then wipe down the outside of the toilet from top to bottom with disinfectant cleaner.

5) Clean out from under your bed and inside your closet and put anything you find where it goes.

6) Wipe down the outside of all the kitchen cabinets and drawers with cleaner. 

7) Wipe down window seals in the dining room, living room, kitchen and your bedroom with cleaner.

8) Using glass cleaner, wipe down the light switch plates in ___________. (I list out each room on the card: kitchen, dining, living, etc, so there is no guess work for them.)

9) Clean the baseboards in the kitchen and hallways with cleaner.

10) Vacuum living room and sweep kitchen, dining area and front entry way.

11) Wipe down the outside of the refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and oven with stainless steel cleaner.

Grace Cards

Now, two of my cards are grace cards. The word grace is written on these cards and the definition as stated in the dictionary:

grace: goodwill; favor
a delay granted for an obligation
the love and favor of God toward man

When to Use These Consequence Cards 

When they get in trouble at home or school, the cards are presented to them face down and they draw one card, or two, depending on the offense.

They read their card out loud and if it is the grace card I like for them to acknowledge if they understand what grace is.

Finally….

While raising boys, it is very important to me they know how to do these things and never consider cleaning as ‘woman’s work’. They will live on their own some day, and they will not find me at their apartment cleaning! Someday, they will likely marry, and it is very important they help their wives. They may also have children, and with this in mind, I want my boys to grow up to be leading examples who assist in instilling and teaching their own children household cleaning.

It is very important to me my boys never consider cleaning as 'woman's work'. Click to Tweet

There you have it. Give it a try. I would love to know if it works for you!

Sharing is caring!