Kids {Simple} Daily Chore Checklist

I live for the chance to work SMARTER, not harder and one of the VERY vital pieces to doing that is delegation. I delegate everything that I cannot do, I don't want to do, that is too time consuming to do, or that can done by someone else and still get the same end result. 

One of those things is the daily, never changing, tasks that need to be done every night to get our kids ready for the next day. I created this really simple (so simple my kindergartner could do it) checklist to take those tasks off my plate so I could free up time for making dinner, tidying up around the house, watching Law and Order, or whatever else I want to do in the evenings. 

Isn't it true that sometimes, as moms, we get so tired of saying "clean your room" 100 times that we eventually cave? And you know what is even worse, the kids KNOW that we will cave. Every negotiation with these miniature people is a a matter of will power, and they have nothing but time. This may blow your mind, but I haven't had to tell my kids what needs to be done after school for months. We have a very simple daily routine and set of expectations that we do every.single.day Monday-Thursday:

1. Come home from school

2. Have a snack 

3. Complete the checklist 

4. When the checklist is complete, it's time for fun! (Playing outside, watching a movie, etc.)

I printed one for each child and framed each in a 4x6 frame from Dollar Tree ($1.00!). Here's the key to making it extra easy: put the glass back in the frame! (Just like you would when framing a picture). The glass allows them to reuse the list every day. We use dry-erase markers to check off the boxes and then I erase the check marks when they leave for school the next morning. They know they can't ask for video games, bike rides, or anything else until every box is checked. They also can't complain if they don't like their snack as they're running out the door in the morning. Win-Win-Win! 

Download your checklist here!