chores first, – A parent of two kids lays out a simple summer rule: daily chores and basic responsibilities come first, then video games or TV. The routine shifts around activities like golf, while consequences like losing screen time or adding extra chores kick in when the d
The first talks about summer started before the school year even fully let go. Two kids—now 9 and 7—began trading visions of sleeping in, constant TV, and days dominated by video games. It wasn’t the usual rhythm at home, and the response came fast: expectations were being reset.
A schedule went up in advance. It laid out what was expected each day. and it made one rule clear—screen time and fun would come only after daily chores and responsibilities were done. Summer, the message delivered to both kids, wouldn’t be a free-for-all with screens. The kids would also be expected to clean up after themselves.
The list begins with the basic daily stuff: getting dressed and brushing teeth. along with what the parent considers everyday chores—cleaning up after themselves and putting things away when they’re done. The daily reminders were practical: if their rooms stay clean, there’s less picking up each day. The “mantra has yet to sink in,” but it still stays part of the routine.
Beyond the basics, two additional chores are required each day. The 9-year-old is in charge of taking out trash, closing the garage door, and carrying laundry baskets. The 7-year-old handles refilling the drink fridge, vacuuming, and feeding the pets. Usually. two of those tasks are needed in a day; if they don’t cover enough. a quick chore gets added on the fly.
Some days bring learning, too. Reading or math can be on the schedule—sometimes both. The parent makes it clear it doesn’t have to be a worksheet slog. It can be a game, and sometimes the kids even count change.
Only after all of that comes video games or TV. Even then, restrictions are firm. YouTube and “YouTube-like shows” are banned from viewing options because the parent says they’re tired of the ridiculous scenarios the kids come up with that they believe are real.
Afternoons can still be fun and varied. The schedule includes the pool or splash pad, going for a treat, or heading to the park. And not every morning looks the same—some days deviate for real life.
On Thursdays, for example, the kids have golf in the mornings. The family goes golfing, hangs out, then comes home to rest with a movie—so long as the kids can agree on what to watch—before chores start again, assuming they behaved themselves.
Childcare is also part of the picture. The parent has childcare for the kids three days a week. and when schedules allow. they sometimes tag along when the parent interviews people for stories being written. The parent says the kids are good sports about it and that they live in a small town where people are understanding about them being there for the summer. The days outside the house also introduce new activities: time at the library. a dino dig at the museum. helping at the Postal Service. trail bike rides. and “endless picture-taking stops.”.
Even with the rules, there are room-for-flex moments. Sometimes the kids get a treat or are assigned a special “job” to keep them busy.
But not every day follows the plan. On the days when the kids don’t listen, consequences are immediate and tied to screen time. The parent takes away screen time or makes them rest in bed. If the issue is whining about chores, the punishment can be an extra chore. The logic is blunt—punishment matching the crime—so the kids can learn to do better next time.
So far, the result is described as chaotic at times, but also fun. The days are a mix of activities, responsibilities, and learning life skills along the way—organized not by eliminating summer, but by putting the “boring stuff” first.
summer routine chores screen time video games TV parenting kids activities golf childcare consequences