As I was reading one of my emails from the FlyLady this morning, I noticed a reference to The House Fairy.   As I understand it from my quick review, The House Fairy is the sister to Santa Claus and she helps motivate children to clean their rooms.  The system uses videos, songs, rewards, etc.   And since I’m been on a kids’ chore kick lately, I thought that I would share the link with you.   A 2 year subscription to the online version is only $10.  (I do not profit in any way by sharing this information.) 

This is not a new revolutionary concept by any means, but when was the last time you actually used a chore chart?  They are an excellent idea and generally work well.  The kids tend to like the stickers, points or whatever reward system gets used with them.  However, the use of chore charts often get discarded once the novelty wears off.  Why is that?  (Maybe I just haven’t found quite the right system yet.)

I’ve decided to reintroduce the chore chart system in my house.  So I went digging through my computer documents to find the sticker chart I had created some time ago.  I found it and had to laugh because apparently we haven’t used it in about two years.  (Shame on me!)  The chart I found is this “morning routine chart”.   I used to print one copy on pink paper for my daughter and one copy on blue paper for my son.  Then I hung them on the hallway wall so they could easily see them. 

If you don’t want to create a word document like I did, you can print these free customizable chore charts or purchase magnetic chore charts.

I’ve started using the morning chart again to get us all back into the habit, but now that my children are a little older, I want to expand the chore chart idea to more than just the morning routine.  So, my next question is what to put on the chore charts. I found this “Stages of Responsibility“ list for age appropriate chores.  Maybe that will help.  I’ll let you know what I decide on.

What are your thoughts?  Do you use chore charts with your kids?  What type do you use?  What chores do you have on them?

Spring Cleaning?  Do people actually still do that?  Seems to me that’s something my mother might have done, but I’m not sure I remember details.  We were always cleaning in my house.  I learned how to clean when I was quite young.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I bought a wall decoration at a home decor party.  It’s a blue painted heart that still hangs proudly on my kitchen wall.  It reads:

Cleaning and Scrubbing
can wait till tomorrow…
for babies grow up,
we’ve learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs;
dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby
and babies
don’t keep.

So, my first spring cleaning tip is this… Don’t make cleaning a priority.  Sure, you’ve gotta do it sometime, but don’t obsess over it.  In my opinion, spring cleaning is obsessing.

Which brings me to my second spring cleaning tip… Visit the FlyLady.   Even if you are already familiar with the FlyLady, if you came looking for spring cleaning tips, then you obviously need a refresher.  The FlyLady will teach you how to clean and declutter your home in baby steps so that it is always clean and spring cleaning is no longer necessary.

Having said all of that, I love throwing open all of the windows in my house as soon as its warm enough to at least maintain the cozy indoor temperature.   There’s nothing quite like a fresh spring breeze blowing out the stale winter air.  And when you open up all the windows, there is bound to be some dust bunnies that come out of hiding and start running across the floor.  Grab a vacuum and suck up anything that moves.  (OK…  Don’t vacuum the children or the cat.  They generally don’t like it.)

When you’ve finished doing the above, Go Outside!!  It’s SPRING for goodness sake!  Wash the SUV, clean the outside of the windows, rake the yard if you must, but at least enjoy the warmer weather.

If you came here looking for real spring cleaning tips, visit the Spring Cleaning Competition hosted by “Two Moms in a Blog” and read the other entries.  Maybe some other blog writers can help you out.