Creative Problem Solving Project

PROJECT: Cleaning Kids

Reagan Eisert
Spring Semester
May 3, 2014

Problem Definition
The house is a mess all the time and the kids refuse to do their chores every day. They dont take any accountability in keeping
the home nice.
List of Facts:
Fact
The house is messy

Relevance
High

They do not do their chores every day

High

At least 3 of the kids are old enough to help out

Medium

The kids made most of the mess to begin with

Medium

Problem Analysis
The problem is composed of the facts above, so when these facts are considered the problem can be solved. If its solved now
we can have a cleanerperhaps happierhome in time for summer. There isnt any risk in taking action now, except the house
may get messier. There really are only benefits because if I find a solution Ill have a nicer, happier home. Everyone in my
family will benefit when this is solved! This problem is one of control and organization. If I can efficiently manage the chores
that need to be done, and the children who need to do them, itll be solved.
Causes:

HumanIts the kids who didnt do their chores to begin with, and there wouldnt be a problem if theyd
been better about finishing them.
PhysicalThe house is a mess.
OrganizationalThere needs to be a better system for organizing the chores.

Dimensions:

Physical
o There are 5 rooms that need to be cleaned every day, as well as the 2 hallways and stairs.
Ethical/Moral
o The problem here ethically is that they arent already doing their chores every day.
Social
o The skills they learn from doing their chores will help them all throughout their lives, and are
socially expected.
Technology
o There will be some technology on my part, when I create new plans for the organization of the
chores.

Patterns:

This has been happening ever since the kids were little. We always go through phases of cleanliness but the attitudes
and accountability just dont stick with them. It seems to always be a battle to persuade them to do their chores, and
they dont realize it will benefit them, too. This happens fairly consistently.

Vocabulary:

Pick up: Pick up the things on the floor that dont belong.
Organize: Reorganize the surfaces so everything goes where it belongs and is easily accessible.
Clean: This includes sweeping, mopping, dusting, washing, etc.
Tidy: If something is out of place, put it back in its home.

Scope:

The scope of this problem extends beyond the time the children live in my messy home. The cleaning techniques and
diligence they learn from consistently doing chores will stay with them forever, in every career or path they choose.

Requirements:
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Requirement
It has to be positive, so the children dont think Im nagging and stop listening.
It has to be timely, so they dont lose focus or get bored.
It has to be efficient, so I dont have to redo their chores later.
It has to be fun for the kids, so they dont hate doing it.

Solutions:
Model: (attached to addendum)

List of all ideas:

Solution
Chore Charts
Watch Me Clean
Take Away Toys
Allowance
Special Weekend
Activities
Take Away
Privileges
Shock Collar

Pros
Can be fun and interactive, encouraging their
own initiative.
They will either get guilty or bored enough to
help clean.
There is less to clean and may convince them
to do chores on their own.
Positive, gives children experience with
earning & budgeting money.
Spend quality time with the kids, positive
effects.
Gives them more incentive to finish.

Cons
May not be suitable for all the
children.
Not a long-term solution; may not be
positive.
Negative, and wont have long-lasting
effects.
Costs a significant amount of money,
may have negative effects later.
Difficult to keep on top of.

It would keep the kids in line.

Socially unacceptable and negative.

Hard to control, fairly negative.

Notes:
I started gathering ideas by observing other families around me. I asked my friends with children, and I asked my
coworkers about their opinions. I wanted to come up with a wide variety of solutions, especially those that have
already been successful in other families.

Filtered Solutions
Stakeholders:

Kids
o
o
o
o
o

Quinton, age 16
Jeremiah, age 12
Emmalise, age 9
Melina, age 6
Simon, age 2

Remaining Solutions:
Solution
Allowance

Resources Required
Money ($50) per month for all the kiddos.

Chore Charts

Time (to create & implement), Other Resources

(for the charts themselves)

Take Away Privileges

Time (to implement), Consistency

Selected Solution
The solution I finally decided on was a compilation of all 3 of my filtered solutions. Each of them had very beneficial parts, but
separately none of them fit my family well enough. At first paying the children allowances seemed to be a reasonable solution.
It would teach them to be smart in handling their money and the importance of earning it. More importantly, giving the kids an
allowance would give them more incentive to do their chores. However, they dont value money as much as some of the kids in
other families, so I dont anticipate that it will be all that efficient when implemented singularly.
The second option, chore charts, is also a very good idea. It seemed especially efficient in regards to the younger children. Its
engaging and fun so they would take more pride in their chores rather than doing it out of obligation. Creating a chore chart
would be relatively simple to make and engaging enough to make the kids excited. However, having a chore chart alone
wouldnt fix the problem because the older kids need more motivation.

The third option is taking away privileges. At first I had a tendency to discard the idea because it uses negative reinforcement to
get the job done. The young kids need more positive ways to coax them into doing their chores but it would work for the older
ones. It is easier to threaten them with no TV than to get them to motivate themselves with a chart.
None of these options seemed plausible for the entire household; none of them solely met all the requirements. So I gathered all
the positives from each option to create the optimal solution. I created a chart that was fun for the young kids, with allowance
coordinating with the amount of chores accomplished throughout the week and consequences clearly written out for the
delinquent ones. Its a well-rounded solution that incorporates all the needs of the children.

Plan
I have to set a specific amount for the allowance of each child and how it relates to the chores each child completes. I also have
to create a list of the privileges each child will lose if their chores arent completed.
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Objective/Tasks
Create chore chart.
Present chore chart.
Have allowance money ready.

Priority

Deadline

<1>

5/02/14

<2>

5/03/14

<3>

5/31/14

Execution
So far the execution has worked really well. The kids were excited about the new plan! The younger kids really liked the chore
chart and the older kids really liked the opportunity to earn money through the allowance. Although they complained about
losing their privileges if they dont do their chores, their motivation definitely increased and they became determined to
cooperate with my plan.

Chore Chart: attached to addendum.

Activity
Begin chore chart
First allowance

Date
5/03/14
5/31/14

Addendum
Model

Chore Chart