Chores are the center of S’moresUp.

A chore tells the family what needs to be done, who owns it, when it should happen, and what follows after completion. Kids can see their responsibilities, mark work complete, earn S’mores, and watch their progress grow. Parents can review what is pending, approve selected chores, and adjust the system when something keeps getting missed.

The basic flow is simple:

Create → Assign → Complete → Review → Reward

Start with a few familiar chores. Add schedules, reminders, advanced chore types, and Premium controls only where they make the responsibility clearer.

What a Chore Can Include

A S’moresUp chore can include:

• A clear chore name
• A family member or group of family members
• A chore category
• A S’mores value
• A one-time or repeating schedule
• A due time
• One or more reminders
• Instructions, a picture, video, or Smart List
• Parent Approval
• Photo Proof
• A chore type such as Individual, Rotate, Collaborate, Compete, As Needed, or Bonus
• Premium controls such as Lock or Late Penalty

Simple chores do not need every setting.

“Put shoes by the door” may need only an assignee and a schedule. “Clean the bathroom sink” may need instructions, Photo Proof, and Parent Approval.

The Basic Chore Flow

Most chores move through the same family flow.

1. A parent creates the chore.
2. The chore is assigned to one or more family members.
3. It appears when it is due or available.
4. The family member completes the work.
5. The chore is marked complete.
6. Photo Proof is added if required.
7. A parent approves it if Parent Approval is on.
8. S’mores are awarded according to the chore type.
9. The earned S’mores can be allocated between the child’s Spend and Save accounts.
10. The completed chore becomes part of the family’s visible progress.

When approval is not required, the chore can move directly to done and award its S’mores according to the setup.

When approval is required, the S’mores are not finalized until a parent approves the chore.

If a Chore Is Rejected

A rejected chore is sent back to the assigned family member.

The child can correct the work and submit the chore again.

Rejection should be specific. Instead of saying:

This is not done.

Try:

The clothes are in the hamper. Please put the books on the shelf and submit the chore again.

The goal is to teach the finish line, not to surprise the child after the work is submitted.

Who Can Own a Chore

S’moresUp offers several chore types because family responsibilities do not all work the same way.

Individual

One person owns the chore and receives the full S’mores value.

Rotate

Responsibility moves between selected family members. The person assigned for that occurrence receives the full value.

Collaborate

Several family members work together. The chore’s total S’mores value is split among the participants.

Compete

The first family member to complete the chore receives the full value.

As Needed

The chore has no fixed time and can be completed as many times as necessary. The person completing each valid occurrence receives the configured value.

Bonus

The chore is optional extra work. The person who claims or completes it receives the full value.

The chore type decides who earns the S’mores. Save and Spend allocation decides where each person’s earned S’mores go afterward.

Schedules, Due Times, and Reminders

A chore can happen once or repeat.

Common patterns include:

• Once
• Daily
• Selected days
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Yearly
• Custom frequency

Add a due time when completing the chore late creates a real problem.

Examples:

• Feed the dog by 8:00 AM
• Pack the backpack by 7:30 AM
• Put trash out before collection

A flexible chore such as “Fold towels this weekend” may not need a strict time.

Reminders help family members notice chores before they are due. Start with one useful reminder. Multiple reminders can help selected chores, but too many notifications become noise.

Detailed schedule and reminder instructions belong in the Scheduling & Reminders group.

S’mores and Save/Spend Allocation

The chore’s S’mores value shows what the completed work earns.

The chore type decides who receives that value:

• Individual and Rotate award the full value to one person.
• Collaborate splits the total among participants.
• Compete awards the full value to the first completer.
• As Needed awards the configured value for each valid completion.
• Bonus awards the full value to the person who claims or completes it.

After the S’mores are earned, they can be allocated between:

• Spend for available rewards or supported wallet actions
• Save for future goals

This is separate from splitting S’mores between family members.

Parent Approval and Photo Proof

Parent Approval and Photo Proof add accountability where it helps.

Use Parent Approval when:

• Quality matters
• The child is learning a new skill
• The chore has a safety or cleanliness standard
• S’mores should wait until an adult reviews the result

Use Photo Proof when a picture makes the finished result easier to see.

Good examples:

• Made bed
• Organized desk
• Cleaned pet area
• Put away laundry
• Completed an outdoor chore

Do not add approval or proof to every small chore. Kids should still be able to complete simple responsibilities and see progress without waiting for a parent every time.

Chores That Are Late, Locked, Excused, or Missed

Not every incomplete chore should be handled the same way.

Complete Late

The chore was expected and was finished after the due time. A Late Penalty may reduce the S’mores awarded.

Locked

When Lock is enabled, a chore becomes locked after it is past due and still incomplete.

Excused

The family member is excused from that chore instance. The repeating chore remains active for future occurrences.

An excused instance does not earn S’mores.

Missed

The chore was expected but was not completed.

Use Weekly View to notice whether a miss was a one-time event or a repeated setup problem.

Keep the First Chore System Simple

A strong first setup may contain:

• 5 to 7 familiar chores
• Clear names
• One owner per chore
• Simple S’mores values
• A few useful reminders
• One Reward Shelf item
• Limited use of approval or proof

After the family understands the basic flow, try Rotate for fairness, Bonus for extra earning, Collaborate for a project, or Compete for a selected friendly challenge.

Common Questions

Does every chore need S’mores?

No. Some families use S’mores for every chore. Others use them only for new habits, harder work, or Bonus chores.

Does every chore need a due time?

No. Add a due time when timing matters.

Does every chore need Parent Approval?

No. Use approval for selected chores where the finished result needs review.

Can a rejected chore be completed again?

Yes. It returns to the assigned family member so the work can be corrected and resubmitted.

Can one chore be completed more than once?

As Needed chores can be completed as many times as necessary. Other chore types follow their configured occurrence.

Are Save and Spend the same as splitting S’mores between children?

No. A chore type decides who earns the value. Save and Spend decide where each recipient’s earned S’mores are placed.

A Simple Way to Start

Create one familiar Individual chore.

Give it a clear name, assign it to the right child, set a simple S’mores value, and complete the full flow once before adding advanced controls.

Related Articles

• How to Create a Chore
• How to Assign Chores
• Add Clear Instructions to a Chore
• Chore Types in S’moresUp