How It works

TaskTabs: How It Works – A Chore System That Actually Makes Sense

Welcome, fellow parental warriors! If you're here, chances are you're looking for a way to turn chore time from a battlefield into a (mostly) harmonious part of your family routine. Grab that cup of (hopefully still hot) coffee, and let's dive into how TaskTabs can help bring a little order to your chaos.

Welcome to Our Organized Chaos

First, a bit about us: We're a blended family with six kids under the age of 10—a mix of hers, mine, and ours. Throw in a delightful array of challenges like Bi-Polar, ADHD, Autism, RAD, ODD, PTSD, and Anxiety, and you've got a recipe for chore time being a major sore spot.

We've tried everything: star charts, sticker charts, bribes (no judgment), and more pep talks than we can count. Nothing stuck. It wasn't until we started picking the brains of professionals—teachers, therapists, that wise neighbor down the street—that we finally stumbled onto something that worked for most of our kids. And, to be honest, it helped us keep our sanity intact.

Enter: The TaskTabs System

Start Small and Build Up

Each ChoreBoard represents a child or a room. We recommend starting small by grabbing a single board from our prebuilt selection. See how it works with your kids, and if it's a hit, you can order our custom boards to match the needs of each room in your home.

What You'll Need

  • ChoreBoard: Holds up to 8 chores. This board is the central hub where tasks are displayed.
  • TaskTabs: Visual representations of each chore, complete with images and optional point values.
    • Points are Optional: You can choose to include point values or remove them if you prefer a focus solely on tasks.
    • Names Can Be Added: For new readers, adding the chore name helps practice reading skills.
  • Personal Boards (Optional): Boards customized with your child's name, where they can collect their completed TaskTabs.
    • Customizable: Select your preferred text, font, and font color. Our custom boards come with 8 free TaskTabs for you to select or replace your current setup.
    • Budget-Friendly Alternatives: You can use a bag or storage bin instead. Let the kids decorate it for a little extra buy-in!

Setting Up

Introduce the System to Your Kids

Step 1: Demonstrate the Chores Together

  • Set the Standards: Parents should do the chores with the kids the first couple of times to establish how tasks should be done.
  • Visual Recognition: This helps the little ones recognize the chore associated with the image on the TaskTab.
  • Memory Aids: We've designed the images to demonstrate each chore as clearly as possible to spark the children's memory.

Step 2: Explain How It Works

  • Optional Chores: Tell the kids that chores are optional. Yes, you read that right—optional. This gives them a sense of control.
  • Earning Points: Explain how they can earn points by completing tasks and how these points can be exchanged for rewards.
  • Rewards Menu: Brainstorm a list of rewards together. This could range from small treats (5 points) to bigger rewards they can save up for.
  • Personal Victory: When a child completes a chore, they get the sweet satisfaction of moving the TaskTab from the ChoreBoard to their personal board (or bag/bin). This tangible action reinforces their achievement.
    • Customization: We made each kid in our home a custom board. You can let them decorate their own board or container for extra engagement.

Step 3: Parents Join In

  • Family Participation: You (the parents) get to participate too! If the kids choose not to do a chore, you can complete it and earn the points.
  • Wait Until Evening: Give the kids a chance by waiting until a certain time at night before stepping in.
  • Friendly Competition: This adds a layer of friendly competition and shows that everyone contributes to the household.

The Method Behind the Madness

Constructive Criticism

  • Review Completed Tasks: After chores are done, review each one.
  • Offer Guidance: If a task needs a bit more work, offer gentle guidance and give them a chance to fix it.
  • Second Chances: If they nail it on the second go, the points are still theirs.
  • Handling Resistance: If they want to argue, then the chore doesn't count, and the next person gets some easy points. This encourages cooperation without escalating conflicts.

Daily Tally

  • End-of-Day Routine: At the end of the day, tally up the points on a whiteboard or a central tracking sheet.
  • Visibility Matters: If possible, find a place that's always visible for the kids to see the fruits of their labors. Seeing their points accumulate is a great motivator.
  • Resetting the Boards: Return the TaskTabs to the ChoreBoards, ready for the next day.

Positive Reinforcement Beyond Chores

  • Random Acts of Recognition: Award points for positive behaviors throughout the day—acts of kindness, good manners, or helping out without being asked.
  • Encouragement Over Punishment: Do not take points away for negative behaviors. Just as dollars aren't deducted from your paycheck for mistakes, points should only reflect positive actions.

Our Unique Approach

The Toy and Electronics Lockdown

One of the most controversial things we did was lock up the toys and electronics from the children. This had several positive effects:

  • Increased Interaction: It encouraged them to interact with each other more.
  • Focus on Constructive Activities: They turned to reading books, coloring, art, and playing outside.
  • Reduced Clutter: Removing toys and electronics helped eliminate the mess that was overwhelming our home.
  • Simplified Chore List: With less clutter, we reduced the daily required chores to three:
    • Make Your Bed
    • Clean Your Room
    • Put Away Your Laundry (for those that are capable)

Implementing This in Your Home

  • Adapt to Your Comfort Level: You don't have to lock everything up, but reducing clutter can make chores more manageable.
  • Check-Out System: Consider a system where kids can "check out" toys or electronics by earning points.

The Reward System

Creating a Reward Menu

  • Range of Rewards: Set rewards ranging from 5 points and up, matching what you think they can strive for.
  • Over-Reward at First: Over-rewarding during the first month can get them excited and help establish the habit.
  • Adjust as Needed: Once you get a feel for things, you can increase the reward costs after the habit is set.

Involve the Kids: Let them suggest rewards they're excited about. This increases motivation and buy-in.

Parents Get Rewards Too!

Let's be honest—if the kids don't do the chores, you're going to end up doing them anyway. So why not reward yourself?

  • Compete with Your Kids: Nothing motivates a child like seeing Mom or Dad racking up points toward a coveted reward.
  • Set Your Own Rewards: Think early bedtimes (my personal favorite!), a quiet hour with a book, or a guilt-free binge of your favorite show.

Tips and Tricks for Success

  • Demonstrate First: Do the chores with the kids initially to set standards and help them understand what's expected.
  • Visual Clarity: Use clear images on the TaskTabs to ensure everyone understands the tasks.
  • Accessibility: Place the ChoreBoards at a height reachable by all kids.
  • Keep It Visible: Keep the points tally in a place where kids can always see it.
  • Over-Reward Early On: Let the kids feel like they're taking advantage of you at first. It boosts enthusiasm.
  • Expect Ebbs and Flows: There will be weeks when the system lapses. That's okay! Kids might spontaneously restart the process.
  • Positive Language: Use encouraging words and celebrate even small achievements.
  • Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt the system as needed.

FAQs

Q: What if my child isn't interested in participating?

A: That's okay! Remember, the chores are optional. If they choose not to participate, you can complete the task and earn the points. Over time, seeing others reap the rewards may motivate them to join in.

Q: How do I handle disagreements over chores or rewards?

A: Use family meetings to address concerns. Encourage open communication and let everyone have a say in adjustments to the system.

Q: Can we customize the TaskTabs and ChoreBoard?

A: Absolutely! Feel free to get creative. You can design your own TaskTabs, decorate the ChoreBoard, and tailor everything to fit your family's personality.

Q: What if I prefer not to use points or rewards?

A: No problem! Points are optional. You can use TaskTabs simply as visual reminders of tasks without incorporating a reward system. We offer the option to remove points and names from our TaskTabs. The choice is yours.

Q: What if we need a specific chore that's not offered?

A: If you have a chore that we don't offer, we can easily add it at no cost. Just reach out and message us!

Final Thoughts

Implementing the TaskTabs system is about more than just getting chores done—it's about building responsibility, encouraging independence, and fostering a cooperative family environment. It's not a magic wand (we're still looking for one of those), but it's a tool that can make a real difference.

Remember, the key is flexibility and fun. Celebrate the small wins, be patient with setbacks, and don't forget to have a little fun along the way.

Good Luck and Happy TaskTabbing!

So, here it is—our sanity-saving system, now ready for you to try. We hope it works for you as well as it has for us. And remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.

P.S. If all else fails, remember that hiding in the pantry with a secret stash of chocolate is perfectly acceptable. We won't judge. And if you need any assistance customizing your system, please reach out and message us. We're here to help make TaskTabs work for you!