Managing a Family-Centered Household

Takes extreme organization. The willy-nilly method used by my parents (who only had one exceptional child!) does not work with a family with 6 exceptional children. Ask me how I know that...

I have made several attampts over the years to organize my children, but demands change as the family grows larger and older. I've tried making chore sheets and organizational charts, schedules, reward systems. I've used cajoling, loud noises, threats of trading children for clothespins (which I didn't need until this year when I got a glorious washing line in the yard). The trick is a multi-channel approach - a comprehensive plan. No one tool is going to do the job, it must be a system of tools and strategy.

(Donning steel helmet complete with star)...

OK, I've been looking around the web for some inspiration for making chore cards for the kids. The cards are the easy part! I'm trying to devise a system for using them with least clutter. Most of the systems have a HUGE wall board for the cards - and for only one child...

Of course, I have different chores for different kids, so I'll either color code or personalize with names. I want their chore packs to be portable, but not get lost. I also want an efficient way for kids to put their finished chores in a central location where I can see what they've done...
I also have to make special cards for each day of the week depending on that day's special duties... This could be lots of fun, and I can make them age appropriate (which some of the packs don't do).

How do you manage your chore cards?


Blessings,