chores Archives - What's up Fagans?

The Truth About Paying Kids for Doing Chores

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February 7, 2017 By Katelyn Fagan 9 Comments

This is a sponsored post. All opinions on should kids get paid to do chores and otherwise are my own. The other day we went to the grocery store and my 6-year-old daughter Alison brought her purse with her. As I'm loading up the vehicle to go home, she pulled out a $1 bill and offered it to me, to help pay for the groceries. While the offer was extremely sweet and kind, I didn't take my daughter's money. As the parent, I don't think it's my child's obligation or responsibility to help me pay for food for her and the rest of our family. That's my and my husband's job to provide. This same daughter has also been known ...

How Kids Can Unload the Dishwasher Without Breaking Anything

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July 9, 2015 By Katelyn Fagan

I am all for cleaning with awake kids, instilling the value of work, and having my children do chores. One of my five year old twins' chores is to unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, by having my young children unload the dishes by themselves, they have, on several occasions, broken cups, bowls, and plates. We've since established some ground rules on the proper way to unload the dishwasher, as well as few reminders on actually loading it. How Kids Can Unload the Dishwasher Without Breaking Anything 1. Have a Clean Counter When I ask my daughters to unload the dishwasher, I really need to first make ...

9 Ways to Speed Up Your Everyday Cleaning Routine

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June 24, 2015 By Katelyn Fagan 6 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RealLifeClean #CollectiveBias I don't love cleaning my house every single day. I don't love sweeping up after just about every meal, or cleaning dishes, or scrubbing bathtubs. But, cleaning is a necessary part of life. In my experience, keeping your home tidy and clean is important not just so you can find whatever it is you are looking for and not accidentally step on a toy; no, keeping it clean also helps you fight off feelings of depression. Keeping a tidy, clean home makes it easier to relax. Doing the actual cleaning ...

Improve Your Family Life with a Basic Kids Chore Chart {Free Printable}

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May 13, 2015 By Katelyn Fagan 6 Comments

Five months ago now, I posted a picture on Instagram of our first official basic kids chore chart that I crudely made by hand, laminated, and stuck on the fridge with a magnet. One of my main goals for homeschooling for preschool this year was establishing good chore and habits in my children along with life skills. And this simple, basic chore chart was the culmination of that effort, as we had already taught them how to help and do these things, but now they would be rewarded periodically for doing chores. Finally doing a real #chorechart for my kids. The rewards will be trips out. Just hoping it will help with overall ...

How to do Laundry for a Large Family in Only 3 Days

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October 7, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 128 Comments

We are a large family of six, and it can be a daunting task to know how to do laundry for so many bodies. My husband likes to change his pants (at least) after work for some "chillin' shorts." And my daughters like to play dress up, and my three year old likes to "accidentally" get himself soaking wet at the sink, and my baby's poop doesn't like to stay confined to a diaper. Add those to clothing changes because of swimming, ballet class, or colder/warmer weather, along with the sheets, blankets, and towels, and the laundry piles up quite literally day after day. But, I figured out a laundry system for doing laundry that is ...

Teaching Children the Importance of Work – Instilling Values

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July 23, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 12 Comments

I'm excited to be writing a post for the "Instilling Values in Our Children" series here on What's up Fagans?. Thanks Katelyn for having me here today! I'd like to share with you something my friend posted on her Facebook wall. She is a store manager for an upscale retailer. "I seriously can't believe the work ethic of people any more. I got called a nasty name by a new employee (right before she quit) because I, her boss, told her that she needed to show up to all her shifts. I'm over it! I need people that actually want a job and will show up every time, not cause drama and actually care about how they perform at their ...

Chores – Do your kids do them? #MomsCheckIn

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July 11, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 1 Comment

As parents, as moms, we often want to know how other moms do it. How do they handle life's challenges and parenting dilemmas? I'm no exception! Sometimes I really wish I could be a fly on the wall in other people's homes and see what really goes on, how they really handle those tantrums, disciplining, attitudes, and bedtimes, among many other parenting headaches! So, I'm super excited to be a part of a brand new series that poses the same question to 5 different moms who then weigh in on what they do in their homes, or what they think or believe on a given topic which is submitted by our readers. Today, I am co-hosting as the ...

Why I believe in cleaning the house with awake kids

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April 22, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 56 Comments

I have three young children. My house gets messy daily. Despite my best efforts, random stuffed animals, shoes, socks, jackets, pillows, puzzles, crayons, and toys end up strewn across my house on a sometimes hourly basis. And that's to be expected! I have children. Children make messes. And I let them make messes. I let them (and encourage them to) play in the dirt and explore outside (I am a free-range type parent?) and come inside and paint, and draw and imagine away with their toys, blankets and pillows. I give my children the vast majority of the day to use their creative imagination to play. I believe in play. I believe in ...

Regular chores for Three Year Olds

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January 27, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 8 Comments

My twin daughters are bright and capable individuals, and as such, are more than able to help out around the house, something I believe is their obligation as a member of this family. But, what are regular chores for three year olds? After some experimenting, we've figured out what our three year old twins can regularly help out with, and why we think it is so important. I was raised in a home where my mother selflessly, tirelessly, did almost all of the household duties herself, despite bearing nine children! Often I could be rewarded monetarily for doing a regular chore, such as unloading the dishwasher for a week, but it ...

Free {Editable} Chore Chart Printable – Cleaning Schedule Chore List

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January 14, 2014 By Katelyn Fagan 32 Comments

Cleaning can feel overwhelming, but with the right system in place it doesn't have to! My husband created this great free editable chore chart printable to help you create a household chore list cleaning schedule that works for the entire family. Before the end of 2013, my husband was annoyed that our house wasn't staying as clean, organized, and decluttered as we like. So, we decided to create a household chore list for ourselves. We kept it simple, easy to follow, and easy to check off. We laminated it with contact paper, and stuck it on our fridge so that we can easily check it off our chores during the day. Each day our ...