Dish Duty 101: Clean the Counters

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Dish Duty 101: Clean the Counters | Family Economics

dish duty

“Who’s doing the dishes tonight?”

This question has been asked too many times in our house! And when it’s asked, no one wants to volunteer the answer.

Even with fancy chore charts and creative ways to teach kids about responsibility, my husband and I are still looking for “new” ways and ideas for simplifying chores. I bet most families in America struggle with this as well – dishes, that is!

A few months back, our family came together for a meeting to discuss house rules, chores and allowances. Each kid came prepared with a clipboard, pencil and took notes. They then typed up individual contracts, signing them, and agreeing that they would be responsible and work toward their allowance each month. One thing that has worked fabulously for our family is what we call: Dish Duty 101!

dish calendar

At the beginning of each month, we write the kids’ initials on each day of the calendar. This has eliminated the conversation about, “whose turn it is to do dishes?” Each kid knows that if their initial is on the calendar, then it’s their responsibility to do dishes for the entire day. And not only complete the dishes, but to wipe off the counters. We always keep a bottle of household cleaner under the kitchen sink - easy to grab and to spray the counters down to make them shining clean!

shining clean

They know now to check the calendar daily, and they know if they are going to be gone, to ask a sibling to cover for them.

I’ve had to get over the dishes not being done perfectly, or things not being put away like I prefer. My hubby has helped me understand that overcorrecting the kids isn’t very productive. I’m thankful for their effort and willingness to work together.

The contracts are hanging by the calendar now and the kids are in the habit of checking daily if it’s their dish duty day. Trying to keep the flow of the kitchen moving in a smooth fashion – alternating the kids and teaching them about Dish Duty 101 – works great for our family!

What do you do about dishes in your home?

19 Comments so far

On Tuesday, June 01, 2010, Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer wrote

Thanks everyone, for the comments! And no, my husband and I are not on the calendar. I guess we cover for the kids when they're gone. LOL!

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Adelle @ www.readygogetset.com wrote

Oh, I cannot WAIT for the day when the boys can do the dishes! Right now it's just the huz and me: I clean the kitchen, we both cook, and he empties the dishwasher. It works for us! We also consider the allowance as payment for "above and beyond" helping around the house. My 6 year old empties all the bathroom and bedroom trash cans, replenishes TP in our three bathrooms, and empties the door pockets of trash in both cars for his .50 a week. He feels good about what he's accomplishing, and I feel good about not having to do it myself (or nag the huz!)

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Kirstin wrote

That's awesome Sandy!!!

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Barbara from TX wrote

When I lived in Colorado I had a huge window over my sink that looked out over the Roaring Fork River. I used to watch eagles fish, flat bottom boats float by, inner tubers, geese and an entire orchestra of wildlife while doing dishes. It really doesn't get much better than that. Now I have a smaller window that looks into my neighbors yard at their bright blue blow up kiddy pool and their yapping dogs. A little different. My husband put a bird feeder in a tree where I could see it and I do get to watch the birds and squirrels jockeying for position. I watch male and female cardinals hop around the edges and never leave each others side. When I first saw my view out my new window comparing it to Colorado I cried. Then God whispered in my ear," Why do you wallow in the absence of the eagle when low I have given you the cardinal". Well from that point on my view was not the same, not better not worse, just different. I also have a little saying I got at a flea market sale that is framed right next to my sink so when I get tired of doing dishes especially when the house is full, I can read it and be reminded.....it says. "Thank you for the dirty dishes They have a tale to tell; While other folks go hungry We're eating very well. With home and health and happiness We shouldn't want to fuss, For this stack of evidence..... God's very good to us." http://www.madreminutes.blogspot.com

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Charity wrote

My kids are 9 and under...so the actual dish washing gets done by the adults. But they clean off the table and wipe it down. They also put their own dishes in the dishwasher. Hmmm, I guess it's a team effort at our home.

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Darla wrote

No kids at our house. When DH cooks dinner I do the dishes. When I cook dinner - well - I do the dishes. Apparently I'm the designated dish washer. There could be worse things. Darla

On Friday, May 28, 2010, Emilie from North Carolina wrote

We did the same thing when our kids were young. But now they are both in college -- I suggested to my husband that we could take turns....did he want me to write our itinals on the calendar. He gave me the "look".

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Kim from artofdomesticliving wrote

Great post Sandy! BTW - loved your post about brunch at your sisters! Breakfast food is my favorite - especially when shared with friends and family!!

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Michelle in Texas wrote

I love that your kids are responsible for getting a sibling to fill in for them when they will be away. That's even more reponsibility training! With 3 boys, we always had a rotation with one clearing the table, putting away food and wiping table and counters, one rinsed and loade the dishwasher, then washed whatever needed handwashing. The third would sweep, take out the trash and dry and put away any dishes that needed hand drying. Now that the oldest is away at college we all pitch in after each meal. Sometimes if one boy helps with setting the table, he only has to sweep and take out trash after the meal and the other one is responsible for helping me clean up.

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Sue wrote

Great idea! My boys are too young to handle the dishes on their own but my mom did something like this when we were growing up and it worked really well. There were no discussions, arguments, etc. We just knew when it was "our day" and we did it. You make such a good point about not expecting things to be done perfectly. I need to remember that. :)

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Traci from KY wrote

Great idea! Right now, I mostly do the dishes. My oldest two boys help me clear the table and fill up the dishwasher sometimes. As they get older, I hope to incorporate a little more help from them. Is your hubby on that calendar too? :)

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Sara from Delaware wrote

My little guys are 3 and 10 months but I definitely like this idea. So far the day dishes are washed by me and the evening dishes by my husband. I really enjoy your posts!

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Sheila from The Contented Wife Blog wrote

When I was a kid, I had to clean off the table and get the dishes ready for my mom to wash them. I seem to remember having to set the table once in a while, but I can't remember if it was an everyday chore assigned to me.

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Carrie G wrote

I have not lived up to my ideals as far as having my 2 kids do chores. I think it's partly b/c they're young (6 & 4) and partly b/c there are only 2 kids, so it's not such a big deal to do it all myself. (I know, I know. This is flawed logic!) But I've started getting them to put their dishes in the dishwasher, or at least by the sink. A baby step, for sure, but progress. Last night they put away their clothes from the clean laundry. The 4 y/o protested, but we did it together, and for my purposes, I'm going to count that as compliance. This newspaper article was passed along by a friend and motivated me to get my kids doing chores: http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Little+helpers+make+successful+adults/3003291/story.html" shape="rect">http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Little+helpers+make+successful+adults/3003291/story.html

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, http://alisa-thesweetlife.blogspot.com wrote

Lovely post! It's always nice to hear how other families do things. My oldest empties the dishwasher, but the 2 younger ones aren't in on the action much. I NEED to change that. For my sake and theirs. Thanks!

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Stacey from Poofing the Pillows wrote

Sandy, in my household full of men, I've found that unless I speak up no one does the dishes except me. My answer to that is to sweetly and assertively tell them what needs to be done. They always will when I point it out...on their own they don't seem to see the mess. :)

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Jackie from Omaha wrote

Enjoyed your post Sandy! Our sons are married and starting families of their own now and so I look back with sweet memories of those family times. Now, when they come to visit, I am busy playing with Grandbabies and so the tables are turning...they pick up and load my dishwasher for me while I am playing on the floor covered with hugs, grins and giggles!

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, http://thesimasek-kiblerproject.blogspot.com wrote

Right now, the boys are small. but they have to set the table, clean off the table after, and while i load the dishwasher, they have to take out the garbage and the recycles, and then get their backpacks put back together for the next school day.

On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, Cathe Holden wrote

Awesome post Sandy! At our house, our 3 kids take turn emptying the dishwasher, which includes loading any dirty dishes into it when done and wiping down the cupboards. They initial the calendar when they do it and we can always tell who's turn it is by checking the calendar. We're not home at dinner time every night so this works for us. I love that you have family meetings and I appreciate so much what your husband said to you. I have to remember that more often.

Thank You

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