Some chores do not fit a simple Daily or Weekly pattern.

A child may need to practice an activity three times per week, clean a space twice per month, or complete a family project four times per year.

Custom scheduling lets the family set a required number of completions during a larger period.

Quick Start

1. Choose a chore that needs a flexible frequency.
2. Create or edit the chore.
3. Select Custom schedule.
4. Choose the number of times.
5. Choose the period: day, week, month, quarter, or year.
6. Add timing, reminders, and S’mores.
7. Check how the first period appears.

Current Custom Schedule Patterns

S’moresUp supports custom patterns such as:

• X times per day
• X times per week
• X times per month
• X times per quarter
• X times per year

Examples:

• Practice piano three times per week
• Water indoor plants twice per week
• Clean the backpack twice per month
• Sort donation items once per quarter
• Help with a family service project four times per year

When Custom Scheduling Helps

Use it when:

• The number of completions matters more than the exact day
• The child needs flexibility
• The activity repeats, but not on one fixed pattern
• A selected-day schedule would be too strict
• The family wants to track a simple frequency goal

Custom schedules can support planning and ownership.

The child can decide when to complete the work inside the period while still seeing the target.

When a Simpler Schedule Is Better

Do not use Custom when the chore belongs on clear fixed days.

Examples:

• Trash every Wednesday
• Pet medication every morning
• Laundry every Saturday
• Pack sports gear every Friday

Selected days or Weekly are easier to understand.

A useful rule:

If the family can name the exact day, use the exact day.

Choose the Number of Completions

Set a target the child can realistically meet.

Example:

Chore: Practice piano
Frequency: Three times per week

Three sessions may fit the family schedule. Seven may turn the activity into daily pressure.

Start with a target the family can use consistently.

Choose the Period

Per Day

Use for work that must happen several times during one day.

Example:

• Check pet water twice per day

As Needed may still be a better choice when the need is unpredictable and unlimited.

Per Week

Use for flexible weekly practice or responsibilities.

Examples:

• Read three times per week
• Help prepare dinner twice per week

Per Month

Use for less frequent upkeep.

Examples:

• Clean backpack twice per month
• Review Reward Shelf once per month

Per Quarter

Use for seasonal or larger family work.

Examples:

• Sort clothes once per quarter
• Organize a storage area once per quarter

Per Year

Use for annual goals or events.

Examples:

• Complete four family service projects per year
• Help with two major seasonal cleanups per year

Add a Start and End Date

Use dates for short-term goals.

Examples:

• Practice reading four times per week during summer
• Complete three training sessions per week for six weeks
• Help water seedlings twice per day for one month

An end date keeps the schedule from continuing after the goal is over.

Use Anytime When the Child Can Choose

Custom schedules often work well with Anytime.

Example:

Practice piano three times per week, Anytime.

The family member chooses the days and hours inside the period.

Use reminders at set times when the child needs a planning nudge.

Add Reminders Carefully

A custom schedule may not have one fixed due time.

Use reminders to help the child notice the remaining work.

Examples:

• Monday afternoon: Plan your three practice days
• Thursday afternoon: Two sessions are still needed
• Saturday morning: Finish the weekly target

Current reminder behavior is time-based, not an adaptive Frankie system. Do not describe reminders as automatically changing based on progress unless the product confirms it.

Choose S’mores Based on the Completion

Decide whether the S’mores value applies to each completion.

Example:

Practice piano three times per week
Value: 10 S’mores per valid completion

The family member earns for each completed occurrence according to the setup.

Confirm exact custom-frequency reward behavior before publishing screenshots or examples with counters.

Check the First Period

After saving, verify:

• The target number
• The selected period
• The first date
• The end date
• How completions are shown
• Whether reminders arrive
• What happens when the target is met
• What happens when the period closes

Custom schedules need more checking than simple Daily chores.

Common Problems

The target feels too hard

Reduce the number or use a longer period.

The child waits until the final day

Add a planning reminder earlier in the period.

The schedule is hard to explain

Switch to selected days.

The chore needs unlimited completions

Use As Needed instead.

The family keeps changing the target

Keep one target for a few periods before adjusting.

Custom Schedule Examples

Chore	Schedule
Practice piano	3 times per week
Help prepare dinner	2 times per week
Clean backpack	2 times per month
Sort donation items	1 time per quarter
Family service project	4 times per year

Common Questions

Can custom schedules use approval?

Yes, where supported.

Can they use Photo Proof?

Yes, where supported.

Can I choose exact days inside the custom period?

Custom frequency focuses on the number of completions. Use selected days when exact days matter.

Can one occurrence be edited?

No. Edits apply to future occurrences or periods.

What if the family misses the target?

Review whether the target, reminders, and period were realistic. Do not increase the pressure before fixing the setup.

Best First Action

Choose one responsibility that needs flexibility.

Set a small target such as two or three times per week, then review whether the child can plan it without repeated parent follow-up.

Related Articles

• How Chore Scheduling Works
• How to Set Up Weekly Chores
• How Due Times, Anytime, and As Needed Work
• Set Reminders in S’moresUp