Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Michelle Duggar on Jurisdictions

Curious about how Michelle Duggar organizes her kids' chores (known as "jurisdictions" in the Duggar house)? Check out her latest video blog:

Video no longer available

23 comments:

  1. another words built in housekeepers! also since her mother in law lives there too. what will she do when they all move out!

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  2. Help put away dishes when they are clean? What dishes?They use paper or plastic anf throw them away.

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  3. VERY HELPFUL!!! Thank you for mentioning the Maxwell Family at Titus2.com They really do have a LOT of wonderful resources for the family. Steve & Teri Maxwell just came out with their newest book and it is a must read!

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  4. Irene, it's difficult to cook in paper pots and pans, although it would certainly come in handy sometimes. :)
    Even if they use paper plates and plastic ware, that doesn't mean there are no dishes to wash.

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    1. Right Ginger! We are a family of 5 and without EVERYONE pitching in it would be horrible around here. I think it's wonderful that even the littles feel like they are contributing to the running of the home. It's funny how people that hate this sweet family always try to paint the parents as lazy but it's evident in their kids and their home that they are diligent in so many things.

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  5. I wish Michelle would explain *why* they call their chores jurisdictions. But looking it up, the last definition explains it:
    the territory over which authority is exercised

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  6. I think it is great they are teaching their children to become responsible adults... something that is greatly lacking in our society today, for sure!

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  7. This is old news. It seems as if the Duggars' time on TLC is dwindling. The seasons are getting shorter and shorter and the episodes often consist of things that most viewers have already seen. Now that Josh and Anna are gone, there will be even less to film.

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  8. Thank you for sharing. I especially like the idea of the "opportunities to serve" list. We will definitely being utilizing that idea.

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  9. I have all little guys (7 and under) and am wondering if the Duggars would consider that age group able to have initiative? My children generally obey their chores cheerfully when I let them know it's time to get started...but I'm wondering when can I stop telling them when and what to do and expect them to just get up and make their bed and start their bathroom jobs (for instance) and if she has any tips for encouraging initiative.

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  10. Haha sounds just like how our family does things! :)

    @ Irene--pots, pans, etc. probably. :)

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  11. Michelle...as usual, you make everything such a joy...even chores! Your gentle expectations and the rewards of a job well done so encourage young hearts. It is the consistency that instills the skills needed and I like that your jurisdictions may run for 6 to 12 months until a job is mastered. It not only insures success, it also keeps the children from thinking they are going avoid some of the more unpleasant tasks [bathrooms anyone] with a quick change. Your goal to instill hearts for service and character in your children go hand in hand. GOD has blessed you so richly through the good times and the sad. May His will continue to be your focus as you raise up the children in the way they should go. I love every Dugger episode!!

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  12. I think its great the Duggar children perform their jurisdictions with chore packs (initially) and on their own as they grow. What I don"t agree with is Michelle and JimBob's negligence with child rearing. Their older children should not be solely responsible for the upbringing educating of their younger siblings. Sure, they can lend a hand; but it is the "jurisdiction" of parents -JimBob and Michelle- to parent their own children!!! If I am mistaken; then TLC needs to show viewers more of the parents performing their parental obligations.

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  13. At the first commenter, so what you are effectively saying, because of their age they have the right to just ' mooch' off their parents and have fun? Or if they play with toys dear old mum should act like a slave and get down on her hands and knees as if she is grovelling and pick up after them so the poor kids don't strain their backs or *gasp* break a nail picking up after themselves?? That they should be free of responsibility?? Okay then, lets stop educating them because it strains their brains too much and they shouldn't be forced to wake that early 5 days a week. Ugh! Please!
    As far as I'm concerned no matter how many kids you. Have, they mess it, they clean it. If its too much work then you neglected to train them early to put away their belongings when they finished. If your goal is to create lazy, ungrateful, selfish, little brats then that's a great way to teach them. If you want hardworking, responsible, selfLESS adults then teach them to get off the couch and MOVE and be a productive member of the household and society. The Duggars are trying to raise the latter. responsible adults and children.

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  14. Erin B, d you have their chores written down n a checklist? For non readers get creative and use colourful pictures to demonstrate what needs to be done. (Eg, a picture of a toothbrush means brush teeth) train them how to do the job (or for older ones break it down into steps) and put the list in a spot where it can be seen easily. And teach them to check it daily. Reward them when they manage to o things without a reminder, they will get it. The fact they obey cheerfully is great and its a start. Be patient, it will happen. You are doing a great job. Managers of their chores as Michelle suggested is great. I highly recommend it. Money well spent.

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  15. Excellent ideas! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. If parents have 1 child or 19, that child does not need to grow up thinking that mom's only job is to be their cook and housekeeper! Parents who want to raise great adults will teach their children through chores. These kids are not slaving away- they are doing reasonable tasks, given loving direction and then rewarded with extra spending money. Those children will be thankful for that in years to come.

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  17. Those of us who have been watching the Duggars for years are not hearing anything new. However, people who have not heard much of them will find the info new and exciting. There is no reason to expect them to come up with something out ofthe blue.

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  18. Are they still only earning three cents for doing chores over and beyond their jurisdictions? Or are they now getting dollars from Jim Bob and Michelle that were earned from the kids being filmed for the show? I would think that the kids that are adults should have access to money earned from TLC. Or does Jim Bob somehow make them believe that they don't receive that much money or that it is family money and is used for household expenses? I would like to think that trust funds have been established for all of the kids. After all, without them there wouldn't be a show.

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  19. Mmolesy, thank you for the ideas :) I had not been rewarding them for showing initiative and I think that's where I'll start. And thank you for being so encouraging...boy, don't we all need that!

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  20. @Erin BI absolutely believe that even young children understand the concept of initiative. In our house we have a system in place to reward our kids when they show helpfulness and being a servant to others. They get to mark a point on a whiteboard for each time they do something without being asked ( if they have to be told they do not earn a point and if they have to be told to re-do it then they do not earn points) and then we talk about what they did to earn that point- this way we are able to verbally praise them and encourage them to continue to do good! At the end of the week if they have a certain number of points then we will all take part in a "prize". Many times the prize is something like watching a movie on Netflix or having hot cocoa together and playing a game. (Things that we might do otherwise but that we have set aside as extra incentive...this also helps us to appreciate fun activities because we all worked together to earn them) we have seen a total 180 in our kids attitudes and our own. We are no longer nagging them and reminding them constantly and they feel a stronger sense of autonomy because they are looking for opportunities to help out and take responsibility for themselves ( they get points for brushing teeth and making beds etc as long as they do it without being told and they do it well) We try to encourage by saying " if you see something that needs to get done, then do it, you don't have to wait to be told"

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  21. What a wonderful way to show children responsibility and life skills! We just purchased our own version of chore packs today and am thoroughly excited to put them together for the kids! While we only have 4 and that is a lot less than 19, it is still a difficult task for a mom to keep up with the cooking and cleaning for every child alone and they are all very capable of putting in their own effort in our home. Once again, another Duggar idea that is Great!

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