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The Power of 3! Are you a numbers person? How about a list making person? I am actually both.
It’s quite interesting how the number 3 is very important. During Church last weekend, our Youth Pastor spoke about numbers in the Bible. I won’t go into a long talk about it (maybe another post), but I do find it intriguing.
The number 3 is the first of four perfect numbers, meaning Divine. Number 3 denotes Divine Perfection. Many times during Scripture in the Bible, different things or people are mentioned 3 times. You can read more about the number 3 and other numbers in the Bible, here.
I have been a Mom for 18 1/2 years now, and I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times that I have tried a workable chore list for my family. I have tried attaching money to chores, special treats, different chores each day…alas, none have worked, until I came up with The Power of 3.
I simply give each of the boys (18,16 & 12) and my husband 3 things each day to do. Simple…huh? Not quite sure why I didn’t think of it before.
I typed up a form that has each of their names and 3 lines, I use a different sheet for each day. And if a chore on their list doesn’t get done (gasp) it gets added to the next day, if they have a chore listed more than…you guessed it…3 days, they are grounded for…you guessed it…3 days!
And for Doug, well…he doesn’t get grounded 
but I do remind him about setting an example.
Here are some of the chores I list out for them
- Pick up bedroom
- Take dirty clothes down to Basement
- Put clean clothes away
- Take hamper from Bathroom to Basement
- Put away Toilet Paper (easy chore for 12 year old, we have a stand in the Bathroom where it is stacked)
- Put away clean towels (another easy chore for 12 y.o.)
- Unload Dishwasher
- Take out Recycling
- Empty trash can in Bathroom
- Sweep floors
- Vacuum stairs (16 y.o. gets this chore)
- Shovel sidewalks
You get the idea. We have been doing our chores since the beginning of the year this way, I haven’t had to ground any of them yet (only one threat reminder).
Now that I have a workable plan for them, it was time to work on my plan. I divided my chores into 3 catergories, House, Blog and Work. And yep, you guessed it…I list 3 chores in each catergory every day. I have to be honest, I don’t always get all of my chores done, and I try not to add too many onto the following day, but it’s definately making life alot easier.
One of my goals for 2010 was to allow Doug and the boys to help with housework (which is difficult for me) and to work on Balancing my Busy Schedule, I’m trying to stay focused and make our lives a little easier.
How do you organize your household chores? Do your kids help out?
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Wow! Good for you! I need to delegate more!
I love this idea! I’m going to try it with my kids. I bet it would work with their young ages! And they definitely know how to count to three!
.-= Allyson´s last blog ..Save the Candle! =-.
@Allyson, I think it is definately adaptable for whatever age your children are. I wish I would have taught mine a lot sooner than I did.
Thanks for visiting!
~Liz
I like this rule of three. I need to do this for myself…haha. I can’t seem to get motivated to save my life. I need the fear of my parents again….
.-= Nutmeg Nanny´s last blog ..Gotta Get This Off My Chest… =-.
I think I’m going to try this concept… I always struggle to “categorize” and prioritize my chores. Thanks for the idea!
.-= Ashley´s last blog .."The Choice" by Suzanne Woods Fisher =-.
This is a GREAT idea! I have been trying to get my kiddos on a chore routine for awhile now. I am definitely going to try this one out! Oh, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the information on ‘numbers’ in the Bible. I just mentioned to my dh about wanting to learn more about the significance God places on numbers,and I didn’t know where to begin to find that info! Thanks again! :^)
Thank you for this great post! I just can’t keep up with things that are complicated. Whatever I practice just has to be simple for me and my kids to follow. This definitely fits the bill!
I recently wrote a post about getting your kids to talk with you using a method called, “Gimme 3 Words” The post is called, Talk to me, kid!
I really love practical solutions. Thank you. {=~D
.-= Mindi@B.A. Bookworm´s last blog ..Bookworm Basics – Every Day Activities =-.
3 is such a do-able number of tasks for most people. I am a Professional Organizer, and my clients tend be overwhelmed by the enormity of the job. I am going to reccommend they find “homes” for just 3 items per day, or sort for just 3 minutes 3 times per day, etc. Thanks for the tip!
@Becky, That’s a great idea to organize 3 items or for 3 minutes do a task. Thanks for visiting!
~Liz
Wow, what a great idea and thank you for posting so early in the year.. I have an 8 & 5 year old and I think this will work for them.
I think for hubby I will just add the three big things I need help with during the week vs. a daily thing…
but I think the idea will work good to start good habits too, if the same item is on their list until it is a habit vs. a chore!
Thanks for the idea.
.-= Beth ´s last blog ..1st Snowfall of the Winter Season – Dec 2009 =-.
@Beth, Those ages are great to start a chore list. Good luck! Thanks for visiting!
~Liz
I adore this idea. I’m going to have to try this not only for the family but myself as well. I love it!
.-= Liz @ The Halton Mom´s last blog ..Giveaway: A Wrestling Addicted Mommy=Alight =-.
I like it! This is a fab idea!
I love things in threes already so why not do tasks in threes?
Genius!
.-= niki´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday…January 11 =-.
I love this idea! I’m going to try it with my 4 yahoos! Thanks so much!
Sounds like a great way to institute family teamwork.
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Help for Haiti: What Can You Do? =-.
Just stopping by to check out your blog
Great post 
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Hello world! =-.
Wow! Awesome concept! Love the idea! Hey, that’s what family is all about…helping out! Thanks for sharing your enlightening idea!
.-= Lynne´s last blog ..Cleaning & Organizing…I {{heart}} it!! =-.
This is a wonderful idea. My daughter is in charge of keeping her room clean. Dear son (3 years old) loves to help me with recycling dusting, vacumming, cleaning the yard of toys and cooking. I like the “power of 3″ and will have to think of this approach, it just makes sense, eh? Thanks for the inspiration
.-= Sarah @ Mum In Bloom´s last blog ..Recipe: Cinnamon-Sugar Bread (Bread Machine) =-.
That’s a great method! I always have 10-20 things on my list and then wonder why I can’t get through them in the couple hours I have after work and spending time with my kids!
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Top Ten Toddler Toys =-.
Now this is what I am talking about!! I have high hopes for “Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays,” mostly because I know by sharing with one another we will spur one another one, and this post did just that!
I am buying a very pretty, thick black framed white board to hang in our dining room (its on my list:)), I am going to try this number 3 technique, writing their 3′s on the whiteboard everyday. its sounds so simple! Just what I needed…
Thanks for participating, please bring your wisdom back next week!
Know that you can share a post from the past of something you got done, it does not have to be a new post each week, as long as its about getting things done!!
Thanks again..
.-= Amy Bowman´s last blog .."Anti-procrastination Tuesdays" Link Party! =-.
That is brilliant! I may have to start using it on my husband…although it may end up as three things he can do each week. We gotta work our way up:) Thanks for sharing!
.-= Laurie´s last blog ..Framed! My First Anti-procrastination Project =-.
NIFTY! I will think about how to incorporate that.
@Musings of a Housewife, It’s not foolproof! But what is with kids
Thanks for stopping by!
~Liz
That is really a great idea! I may have to adopt that one….if the current plan continues to not work out. We shall see. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great idea, I’ll try this number 3 technique!
Katie recently posted..Solid Impact Door
Great! I’ve had variations of this over the years, but nothing that stuck. I think the consistency of 3 (and especially the known result for work not done) is a great way to ensure consistency and consequence.
We’ve been using the “Morning High Five” from Life As Mom for a couple years now with great success. (make bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth/hair, put away jammies). It only makes sense that a “Power of 3″ would work be just as successful.
I’m going to test mine out on a chalkboard and see how it goes… Thanks!