Lock applies when a chore is past due and still incomplete.

Once locked, the family member can no longer complete the chore through the normal flow.

Use Lock when doing the chore late no longer solves the problem.

Quick Start

1. Choose a time-sensitive chore.
2. Give it a realistic due time.
3. Add a reminder before the deadline.
4. Turn on Lock.
5. Explain what happens after the due time.
6. Test one occurrence.
7. Review the result in Weekly View.

When a Chore Locks

A chore becomes locked when:

• Lock is enabled
• The due time passes
• The chore is still incomplete

Lock does not apply simply because the chore exists or because the day begins.

The trigger is the chore becoming past due while incomplete.

When Lock Makes Sense

Lock is useful when the responsibility loses its value after the deadline.

Examples:

• Pack the backpack before leaving for school
• Feed the pet by a required time
• Put trash out before collection
• Complete a task before an appointment
• Bring sports equipment to the door before departure
• Finish a pre-event responsibility

Completing these chores much later may not solve the original problem.

When Lock May Be Too Strict

Lock may not help with flexible chores such as:

• Fold laundry
• Clean the bedroom
• Organize a desk
• Complete a weekend project
• Put away seasonal items

The work still helps when completed late.

Use a normal overdue chore or Late Penalty instead.

Pair Lock with a Clear Due Time

A locked chore needs a deadline the child can understand.

Avoid setting a due time only to create a lock.

Ask:

• When does the work need to be finished?
• Why does the time matter?
• Can the child reasonably complete it?
• Is there enough time after the reminder?
• Does the child know what happens after the deadline?

Try:

The backpack chore locks at 7:30 AM because we leave at 7:35.

The rule should be predictable.

Add a Useful Reminder

Lock works better when the child has a fair chance to act.

Add one reminder before the due time.

Example:

• Chore due: 7:30 AM
• Reminder: 7:10 AM

Multiple reminders may help selected routines, but avoid sending so many that the child stops noticing them.

What the Child Sees

After the due time, the incomplete chore becomes locked.

The child can no longer complete it through the normal completion flow.

Exact card appearance, message, and available actions should be verified on iOS and Android.

Explain the result before using Lock for the first time.

S’mores and Locked Chores

A locked chore remains incomplete.

It does not award S’mores through normal completion.

The family should not manually award the same chore value only to erase the meaning of the deadline.

If the child later completes separate useful work, create the correct new or Bonus chore rather than pretending the locked occurrence was on time.

Parent Review After a Lock

A parent can review what happened.

Ask:

• Was the child responsible for the occurrence?
• Did the reminder arrive?
• Was the due time realistic?
• Was the chore clear?
• Was there a valid reason to excuse the instance?
• Should the schedule change?

Use Excuse when the child should not have been responsible for that occurrence.

Leave the chore missed when it was expected but not completed.

Exact parent override or unlock controls should be verified.

Lock Versus Late Penalty

Control	What happens after the due time
Lock	The incomplete chore becomes locked and cannot be completed normally
Late Penalty	The chore can still be completed, but it awards fewer S’mores

Choose Lock when late work no longer solves the problem.

Choose Late Penalty when the work still matters but timing affects the reward.

Start with One Locked Chore

Do not lock the full chore list.

Start with one responsibility that has a real deadline.

Review:

• Did the reminder help?
• Did the child understand the rule?
• Was the due time fair?
• Did the lock improve follow-through?
• Did it create unnecessary pressure?

Remove Lock when it adds more conflict than value.

Common Problems

The child never had enough time

Move the due time or reminder.

The chore locks during a busy transition

Put the chore earlier in the routine or complete part of it the night before.

The parent keeps overriding the lock

Lock may not be the right control for that chore.

The child does not understand why it locked

Explain the real-world deadline before the next occurrence.

Too many chores are locked

Use Lock only where late completion truly has no value.

Common Questions

Does a chore lock when the day ends?

It locks when it is past due and incomplete, based on the configured due time and product behavior.

Can a parent unlock it?

Confirm the current parent controls before publication.

Does a locked chore earn S’mores?

Not through normal completion because it remains incomplete.

Does Lock affect streaks?

An incomplete locked chore is treated as missed for habit tracking. Confirm current display behavior.

Can Lock and Late Penalty be used together?

Verify whether the product allows both and which behavior takes priority.

Best First Action

Choose one chore where doing it late no longer helps.

Add a fair due time, one reminder, and Lock. Test it for one week before using Lock anywhere else.

Related Articles

• How Late Penalties Work
• How to Excuse, Complete Late, or Skip a Chore
• Set Reminders in S’moresUp
• How to Create a Chore