The January chore reset
Four steps to restart chores after the holidays, with a free printable worksheet.
By January, most family chore routines have fallen apart. School was out, there were guests, and nobody remembers whose turn it is for the dishwasher. That's normal. A quick reset, done together, gets everyone back on track faster than picking up where you left off. This worksheet walks through it in four steps and takes about 20 minutes.
1. Look back
Ask the kids what worked last year and what kept getting skipped. You'll usually hear the same two or three chores. Pick one thing to change, like a different day, a smaller job, or a reminder.
2. Pick each kid's chores
Start smaller than you think: two or three chores each is plenty for the first few weeks. Let kids choose some of their own from an age-appropriate list. They'll do a job they picked with less pushback. Our chores by age list has ideas.
3. Set payday
If chores tie to allowance, write down the weekly amount, the payday, and what bonus jobs pay. Making it clear up front avoids the end-of-week debate.
4. Pick a start date and a check-in
Start on a Monday, and put a check-in on the calendar two weeks later to adjust what isn't working. Have everyone sign the sheet. It sounds silly, but kids take it seriously.
Make this the year chores stick. ChoreHub gives each kid their own list on their own device, tracks streaks and badges, and adds up allowance, free.
Start your family's board freeWe share new printables and chore ideas on Pinterest. Follow ChoreHub on Pinterest.
Prefer paper? Pair the reset with our free printable chore charts and the allowance tracker.