In the Duggar household, chores are called "jurisdictions." For years, Jim Bob and Michelle have used the buddy system; the older children are each paired with a younger sibling, whom they mentor and assist with housework and schoolwork. The Duggars firmly believe that by teaching their sisters and brothers, the kids learn much more than they otherwise would. For larger jobs, Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger each head up a "buddy team."
When it comes to jurisdictions, Jill is the family secretary. Jessa is the family organizer and administers the kids' school assignments. The older boys are in charge of the yard and fireplace. The girls make lunch and supper, and everyone helps clean up. Other jurisdictions include maintaining the kitchen, clothes' closet, upstairs hallway, living room, dining room, and playroom. One of the little tikes is in charge of rounding up the laundry, and another is responsible for emptying the various garbage bins throughout the house and disposing of the trash in the dumpster outside.
How do the younger Duggars stay on task throughout the day? They wear checklists that pin to their clothes. The inspiration for these chore packs came from Titus2's Managers of their Chores.
I love there system:)
ReplyDeleteMy 4 year old enjoys wearing her chore pack!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe did the chore pack system for a while.
ReplyDeleteI am that certain Hungarian:-) Thank you for your answer. I have made our chores, I am writing about it here: http://lillaskids.blogspot.hu/2012/06/chores-feladatok.html
ReplyDeleteThe buddy system is a good idea. I'm sure they all work together well because that's what they have been taught since they were very young!!
ReplyDeleteSandy
We have a chore a day at our house with my roommates! I live with friends!
ReplyDeleteSince the kids do all the work around the house, I mean "jurisdictions', what is left for mom and dad to do?
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that in one of the early specials when they talked about jurisdictions, about five boys in a row said that "their" jurisdiction was cleaning the boys' bathroom... and then one of the girls talks about how she hates cleaning the boys' bathroom! Surely with 5+ boys on the job (and having it as one of only two jobs), she wouldn't have to do this on top of the many, many jobs that the girls do to basically run the household?
ReplyDeleteWe have a family much like the Duggars, and all though the kids may do a lot of the cleaning, there is much left for the parents to do. There is always organizing, schooling, correcting, taking care of owies, bills, phone calls, and those cleaning jobs that the children cannot do. If a child is at home, he will work for his food. (The Bible says you don't work, you don't eat.) It's been that way since the beginning of time on earth, so it should be. A lot of children have no work ethic now days because their parents did everything for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat do the parents do? The oldest girls are raising the little ones. No wonder they keep having so many kids, the parents don't have to watch the kids.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that ALL of the Duggar members love their home, each other, and life in general. One member never wants to be without the others. They have a wonderful home that works well because they all know what is expected of them and they do it well. They always have smiles and their children never rebel. Who would run away from a home where they feel loved and secure. They are not always cleaning. They play, love, spend time with, and learn with each other. Their life shows that they are the real deal and they do things God's way. They remind me of Psalms 1. They are like a well watered tree that bears much fruit. They prosper in every thing they do because they love the Lord their God and obey. I wish I could do more things the way they do it. They are simply awesome. While the rest of the world is angry, bitter, and cruel, they are safe under God's wings.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who wonder what the Michelle and Jim Bob "do" as the older kids help so much, consider your own experiences. Is cleaning a house or cooking dinner your only responsibilities as a parent? When you do have your children take on tasks, isn't it hard sometimes to sit by when you know you could do it better. Their method enables the younger children to be taught how to do things and better prepare them for adult good, but it also teaches the older children to care for and teach, preparing them to have children on their own.
ReplyDeleteCould you name who's in who's buddy team?
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