tdf Chores is a chores checklist program developed by a fellow parent, with limited time and patience, who needed to solve the problem of getting the family chores done each day. The tdf Chores software is designed to help parents with organizing and monitoring their children's daily tasks. It allows parents to assign household chores to checklists for different kids at different times of the day (eg morning, afternoon, bedtime). When the child logs in to the chores program they are presented with only the chores list that need to be completed for the current day and time. The kid then ticks of each household chore when it has been completed.
Additional tutorials are also available from the Online Demos page.
This chores checklist program was designed to be simple. Really simple. Easy enough for your children to use? Sure. But we have made it even easier than that. tdf Chores is so simple that even stressed out, techno phobic parents can use it!
The simplicity of tdf Chores means that it only takes a couple of minutes for parents to learn how to create and maintain chores lists for children.
The tdf Chores user interface is intentionally minimal. The program serves only one purpose - to list your child's current chores. It is a tool, not a game. There are no extra buttons to press, no dancing animations, no rewards programs, no progress charts - in fact your children will most probably find tdf Chores boring. This means they will not waste time 'playing' with the software under the pretext of checking their chores list and are therefore more likely to stay on task.
As an adult do you get a reward for all of the tasks you have to do during the day? Does the 'rewards fairy' deposit cash into your bank account whenever you wash the car or do the ironing? Does your boss give you an extended lunch or extra holidays whenever you finish one of your duties at work? The real world tends not to function that way, so why build these expectations into your children? Everyone has to do things they do not want to do. It is those of us that can jump in and do these things with enthusiasm that tend to succeed in life.
Our son does receive an allowance each week for doing his chores, but the money is not the reason he does them. He does his chores because his Mother and I take the time every day to encourage him, monitor his progress and correct his behavior. There are consequences if he begins to slack off. There is praise when he completes his chores quickly. Our strategies change over time to match his stage in development, but we are consistently teaching him self-discipline and the value of contributing. These are skills which will benefit him for the rest of his life (see our Resources section for links to parenting articles and books).
While our son does get to play games on the computer or Playstation, his mother and I dictate when and for how long. These devices are not babysitters. The internet is an incredible resource for my son, but we do not allow him to surf without supervision. Likewise, a chores checklist program is a great aid but it will never magically make your child complete their daily household chores. Parents still have to put in the hard work and tdf Chores is just another tool to help make parenting a little easier.
tdf Chores is available for you to download for free so you can try it out for yourself. It is distributed under a shareware license, which basically means that you get to try before you buy. Please note that tdf Chores requires Microsoft Access 97 or later. If you have come back after taking tdf Chores for a test drive then head over and make your purchase to receive your registration code.
"...chores are important because they teach basic life skills and help children build personal responsibility..."
Patricia Sullivan, the National PTA
"Chores are beneficial for children - even very young ones. Being responsible for doing chores teaches children many important skills such as cooperation and responsibility. Chores also teach children about fairness and commitment. The skills and values learned by doing chores will benefit children throughout their lives..."
Center for Effective Parenting
"There are several good reasons why parents should assign their children household tasks... Adolescents learn to assume responsibility, gain autonomy, and get practical life skills, including decision-making, before they reach adulthood..."
Lynette Summerill, ASU Research
"The assignment of household chores serves several important teaching functions regarding social responsibility. It allows the child to experience both a sense of contribution to the family and a sense of accomplishment-and, in turn, it allows a sense of pride in that accomplishment."
Bradley Hospital Parenting Guide
"Researcher Marty Rossman at the University of Minnesota studied a group of young adults from the time they were young children. The startling results of the study were that the young adults who had participated in household chores when they were ages 3 and 4 were more successful as adults than those who didn't. Specifically, these young adults were more likely to complete their education, get a good start on a career, develop adult relationships and avoid the use of drugs."
Mark Brandenburg, Natural Family Online