Activities? Tasks? Duties? How about Responsibilities? That’s the one I went with on our children’s "chore" charts. "Chores" sounds so — negative. No one wants to do "chores".

Actually the first definition doesn’t sound too bad -  "the regular or daily light work of a household or farm," (especially if you emphasize the "light".)

The second definition isn’t bad either, "a routine task or job". Kind of boring, but not necessarily negative.

But that third one gets us down, "a difficult or disagreeable task". No one wants to do something difficult or disagreeable. That’s what we think of when we hear "chores", the "disagreeable" part.

"Responsibilities" sounds a little better. At least it has the connotation of  good character; being responsible means trustworthy.

But whatever we call them we need to remember that God created us to work and to be responsible in and for our work. Perhaps I like "responsibilities" because work is a primary way that our character is shown and developed.

I think, the Puritans had the right idea. In fact it is a Biblical idea, that work is worship. How we work can be, and should be, an expression of our worship to God. Paul put it this way, "Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord." Col. 3:23

How do you do it all? That’s the question I get asked most often. Answer is, I don’t. No one can. But as a mom of many I recognize that my primary role is management. I don’t have to “do it all.” God has given me many helpers to accomplish the family goals He has given us. Here are some basic tips for getting household things done.

Utilize your work force! Train the children to do household duties and assign them to them. They should know what needs to be done when and by whom, so mom doesn’t have to be constantly thinking of this. Use Chore Charts, if needed to help them remember. Utilize Routine.

Mom should not be trying to plan, teach, care for little ones, and do all the household cleaning, meal prep and clean up, laundry, etc. by herself. The children can handle many, perhaps all the household cleaning and perhaps even meals and laundry depending on their ages. I find teens love to go shopping, even if it’s just for groceries. They can also prepare meal lists.

Older ones can play with little ones and even teach some things to younger ones when mom needs to work one-on-one with another one, or work on a household project.

Each child, by middle elementary age, can do their own laundry (and a younger one’s and the younger ones can help).

Even a younger elementary age can put juice and cereal on the table or make sandwiches for the family. And preschoolers can set and help clear the table.

This is not slave labor. It is everyone working together for a common goal - and training for adulthood.

Just a few tips - I’ll elaborate and give more another time.

The best home organization method I ever used was an adapted version of the original “Sidetracked Home Executives”. I think the popular fly-lady is based off of S.H.E. too. I recently heard they have a website now (doesn’t everyone) and saw that things have changed now. I’m not as impressed with the new stuff.
The biggest problem I had following the orignal S.H.E. was keeping the 3×5 file box organized. My little ones were constantly dumping it and I was spending more time organizing my box than cleaning my house.

For today I’ll just say having a system helps in getting it done. Having a rigid system - one of those written by a Suzy Homemaker by birth - will not. We free spirits that love living life need something a bit different.

I’ll post bits and pieces in this category as time allows.

For Me & My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa

I’m faced with a toughy. Married dd #4 was hired by her grandparents to spring clean their house. She asked if dd#5 (teen at home) could help her and I could watch her son. We would split the money between the three of us.

At the time I said, “Or maybe I’ll let you 2 split the money, and then you could help me and your sister do our spring cleaning. We’ll see.” I wasn’t really wanting “paid” for watching dgs.

But the time of payment came. The job had taken much longer than they had anticipated. They were both tired of cleaning for the moment - and paid more than they expected. And my computer is overloading and no cash in sight for replacing it. I went for the money. My house isn’t very bad. We’ve kept up pretty well but have a few projects that need tackled. I guess if I need her help with the spring cleaning I will have to just pay her back.

Hmmm, which is more important a spiffy, shiny home or an effecient avenue of doing our school work and ministry? I’m not really wanting to get a new computer either, but it appears this one can’t be upgraded - parts are discontinued and “obsolete”. Maybe I’ll forget spring cleaning, spend the time writing more resources that will hopefully sell so I can get the money for the new computer. Hmmm. The decisions of life. To clean or not to clean.