H is for Helping Hands

H is the letter this week for the ABC's of homeschooling meme. My H is for Helping Hands.

My helping hands!

If there's one thing I believe strongly in its my children helping out around the house and contributing. They are only 4 and 5 1/2 but they have chores and have had them for some time.

Some of the chores they currently do are:
-pick up their toys at least once a day
-bring their laundry to the laundry room and sort it - whites, lights and darks
-feed the ferret
-assist in folding and putting away laundry
-vacuum their bedroom

My personal  belief is that children are part of a family unit and should do certain chores without receiving a reward. With that being said once I am home full-time and homeschooling they will have two types of chores. The chores they do because they are part of the family and the chores they can choose to do to earn a reward. I feel that this will teach them a valuable lesson in that if they choose to go above and beyond what is being asked of them then they get rewarded, much like the real world works with raises and job promotions (well most of the time).

I am pretty sure we are going to be using the chore chart we picked up at the dollar store and maybe some stickers, magnets or markers to help us track their chores.

Chore chart from dollar tree

Rewards will be either money or maybe small toys from the dollar store, I haven't quite decided. I like the idea of money because then we can work in some lessons on finances, like why we save money, why we give to others etc.

Feel free to share your thoughts!