A chore works better when the right person owns it and everyone understands the rule.

S’moresUp lets you assign a chore to one person or use an advanced chore type when the work should rotate, be shared, become a friendly challenge, appear as needed, or remain optional.

Fair does not mean every child receives the same chores.

It means each family member has clear work that fits their age, ability, schedule, and level of responsibility.

Quick Start

1. Choose the chore.
2. Decide whether one person, several people, or any available helper should own it.
3. Match the responsibility to age and ability.
4. Choose the correct chore type.
5. Set a fair S’mores value.
6. Explain the assignment before the first occurrence.
7. Review the result in Weekly View.

Start with the Responsibility

Before choosing a child, ask:

• Is this a personal responsibility?
• Does the whole family benefit?
• Does it require a skill?
• Does it need to happen at a certain time?
• Should the same person own it every time?
• Would rotation make it fairer?
• Is it optional extra work?

The answer helps you choose the owner and chore type.

Match the Chore to Age and Ability

Younger children need clear, short tasks.

Examples:

• Put toys in a basket
• Put shoes by the door
• Carry clothes to the hamper
• Feed a pet with help

School-age children can handle more steps.

Examples:

• Make the bed
• Pack the backpack
• Set or clear the table
• Sort laundry
• Feed the pet

Tweens and teens can take on more independence.

Examples:

• Manage personal laundry
• Prepare part of a meal
• Take ownership of pet care
• Organize a shared area
• Manage one weekly household chore

A chore that is easy for one child may still be challenging for another.

Assign based on the child—not only the chore name.

Use Individual for One Clear Owner

Use Individual when one person is responsible for the chore.

Examples:

• Make your bed
• Pack your backpack
• Feed your fish
• Put your clothes in the hamper

The assigned person receives the full S’mores value when the chore is completed and accepted.

Individual is the best starting type for most chores.

Use Rotate When Turns Matter

Use Rotate when several family members should take turns.

Examples:

• Take out trash
• Empty the dishwasher
• Feed the dog
• Set the table
• Water plants

S’moresUp assigns one person for each occurrence.

The person assigned for that occurrence receives the full S’mores value.

Rotate is useful when the family keeps asking:

Whose turn is it?

Use Collaborate When People Work Together

Use Collaborate for work completed by several family members.

Examples:

• Clean the garage
• Prepare for guests
• Organize a shared room
• Complete a weekend reset
• Decorate for a holiday

The chore’s total S’mores value is split among the participating family members.

Give each person a clear role. “Everyone clean the garage” is not enough.

Try:

• One person sorts sports equipment
• One person gathers donations
• One person sweeps
• One person labels bins

Use Compete for a Friendly Challenge

Use Compete when the first person to complete the chore should receive the full value.

Examples:

• Claim a quick cleanup
• Sort a laundry pile
• Pick up clutter from a shared area
• Complete an optional family task

Compete can make selected chores more engaging.

Do not use it where rushing is unsafe, quality matters more than speed, or sibling comparison creates tension.

Use As Needed When There Is No Fixed Time

As Needed chores do not have a set time.

They can be completed as many times as necessary.

Examples:

• Refill the pet water bowl
• Wipe the table after a spill
• Bring in a package
• Take recycling out when full
• Help with an unexpected household need

The person completing each valid occurrence receives the configured S’mores value.

Use As Needed when the work appears unpredictably. Use Individual or Rotate when predictable ownership matters.

Use Bonus for Optional Extra Work

Bonus chores are extra earning opportunities beyond the normal chore list.

Examples:

• Organize the shoe area
• Help fold towels
• Sweep the porch
• Clean a shared shelf
• Help prepare for guests

The person who claims or completes the Bonus chore receives the full S’mores value.

Bonus should not replace regular responsibilities.

Understand S’mores Allocation

Chore type controls who earns the value.

Chore type	S’mores allocation
Individual	Full value to the assigned person
Rotate	Full value to the person assigned for that occurrence
Collaborate	Total value split among participants
Compete	Full value to the first completer
As Needed	Configured value for each valid completion
Bonus	Full value to the person who claims or completes it

After each family member earns S’mores, their amount can be allocated between their Save and Spend accounts.

Save/Spend allocation does not change who earned the chore value.

Make Assignments Feel Fair

Fairness depends on more than the number of chores.

Consider:

• Time required
• Effort
• Skill
• Schoolwork
• Activities
• Age
• Independence
• Whether the chore helps the whole family

A teen may have a harder weekly chore but fewer daily chores during a busy school season.

A younger child may have smaller chores but need more help and encouragement.

Use Weekly View to compare workload without turning siblings into a scoreboard.

When a Chore Keeps Getting Missed

The problem may not be motivation.

Check:

• Is it assigned to the right person?
• Is the timing realistic?
• Is the chore clear?
• Is the work too large?
• Does the child need a reminder?
• Should it Rotate?
• Should it become As Needed?
• Is the S’mores value fair?

Fix the assignment before adding a consequence.

Family Example

A family has three children.

Maya, age 7

• Put toys in the bin
• Feed the fish
• Put clothes in the hamper

Noah, age 11

• Empty the dishwasher
• Pack school lunch
• Rotate trash duty

Ava, age 15

• Manage personal laundry
• Prepare one dinner side
• Rotate pet walking

The chores are not identical, but each child has clear responsibilities that fit their stage.

Common Questions

Should parents have chores?

They can. Parent chores can show that everyone contributes, but they are optional.

Should siblings earn the same S’mores?

Not necessarily. The value should reflect the effort and responsibility.

Can I change the chore type later?

Yes. Review the assignees, schedule, and S’mores value after changing it.

What if one child is away?

Use an instance-level excuse or adjust the current assignment according to the family situation. Future repeating chores remain active.

Should every shared chore Rotate?

No. Use Rotate when turns matter. Use Collaborate when people need to work together.

Best First Action

Pick one chore that creates “Why me?” or “I thought someone else was doing it.”

Give it a clear owner or change it to Rotate, Collaborate, or As Needed.

Related Articles

• How to Create a Chore
• Chore Types in S’moresUp
• How Rotate Chores Work
• How Collaborate Chores Work