Large Family Logistics - Kid Chore Rotation that Works

For the last 8 years, we've had a system for assigning chores that is both successful and fair.

This picture has nothing to do with Chore Rotation, I just thought it was great art.

BASIC RULES:

1.  Children age 8 and older are included in the Chore Rotation.  Kids 7 and under are given age-appropriate assignments that they are always responsible for.   (Example: Simon, 7, is All-Time Porch and Hallway Duty.)

2.  There are 5 children who are over age 8, so we created 5 Zones or Stations.

• Dishes
• Kitchen (includes pantry, trash removal, refrigerator, appliances, sweep and mop floor)
• Dining Room (includes before and after meal prep as well as general upkeep)
• Living Room
• Bathrooms (includes taking dirty laundry to the garage)

3.  Starting on Sundays, each child has their Zone for the full week.  If everyone has done their chore properly and with a good attitude all week, they move on in the rotation.  If compliance is a problem, they take on their new week Zone AND have to continue doing their last week's Zone.  2 Zones!  Giving the kid behind them in the rotation a week long vacation.  In all our years of doing this, this only happened 2 times that I can think of.

4.  Anytime Mom or Dad announce that "Its Chore Time" is how often the Zones are done, which is on an As Needed Basis, but generally Chore Time is twice a day - before Dinner and before Bed.

5.  Chores have to be done before going to friend's houses, playing outside, computer or video game time.

WHY IT WORKS:
*Its easy to remember what your assignment is when you have it for an entire week.
*Mom and Dad don't have to constantly figure out who is supposed to be doing what.
*Its easy to hold someone accountable for a messy Zone because everyone knows what everyone's assignments are.
*Everyone tries to make the burden lighter for each other because we all know what every Zone is like.
*Everyone is motivated to do a good job so they can continue on in the rotation.
*No one does more work than another.  Its a fair system, you only have to do dishes (1) out of (5) weeks, everyone's hated chore.


What are your ideas for getting kids to help around the house?   How do you hold them accountable if they aren't helpful?