Reminders help your family stay on track without one parent carrying every task in their head.

In S’moresUp, you can add a due time to a chore and turn on reminders so the right person gets a nudge at the right time.

Start with one reminder. Pick the task you repeat most often out loud.

When to use reminders

Use reminders for tasks that:

• Need to happen at a certain time.
• Are often forgotten.
• Create stress when they are late.
• Help the day move more smoothly.
• Kids can do on their own with a nudge.

Good reminder tasks include:

• Feed the pet before school.
• Pack backpack before leaving.
• Put lunchbox in the kitchen.
• Start homework.
• Take out trash before pickup.
• Get ready for bedtime.
• Put sports gear by the door.

How to add a due time

The exact labels may vary by app version, but the flow is usually:

1. Open S’moresUp.
2. Go to the chore or task you want to update.
3. Open the chore card or edit screen.
4. Find the schedule or due time section.
5. Choose the day or repeat pattern.
6. Set the due time.
7. Save the task.

A due time tells the family when the task should be done.

Example:

• “Feed Frankie” due by 7:30 AM.
• “Pack backpack” due by 7:45 AM.
• “Clear table” due by 7:00 PM.

How to add a reminder

After you set a due time, turn on reminders or notifications for that chore.

Depending on your setup, you may be able to choose:

• A reminder before the due time.
• A specific reminder time.
• Notifications for the assigned child.
• Notifications for parents.
• Notifications when the task is completed.

Start simple. One reminder before the task is due is usually enough.

How far before the due time should a reminder happen?

Choose a reminder that gives enough time to act.

Examples:

• 5 minutes before: Quick tasks like putting shoes by the door.
• 15 minutes before: Most daily chores.
• 30 minutes before: Tasks that need more time, like homework or cleaning a room.
• Morning or evening reminder: Tasks that fit a family routine.

If the task still gets missed, the reminder may be too late, too early, or too easy to ignore.

How to use reminders without overwhelming kids

Too many reminders can become background noise.

Try this:

1. Start with one reminder.
2. Watch what happens for a few days.
3. Add another only if needed.
4. Remove reminders that no longer help.
5. Keep reminders tied to real routines.

A reminder should feel like support, not pressure.

Parent reminders vs kid reminders

Some families want kids to get the reminder. Other families want parents to be notified too.

Use parent reminders when:

• A younger child needs help.
• A shared device is being used.
• The task affects the whole family.
• The parent needs to approve the task later.

Use kid reminders when:

• The child has their own device.
• The child is ready to manage the task.
• The goal is independence.

Reminder examples by routine

Morning routine

• Make bed by 7:00 AM.
• Feed pet by 7:15 AM.
• Pack backpack by 7:30 AM.
• Shoes by the door by 7:45 AM.

After-school routine

• Put lunchbox in kitchen by 4:00 PM.
• Start homework by 4:30 PM.
• Put school papers in folder by 5:30 PM.

Evening routine

• Clear table by 7:00 PM.
• Put clothes in hamper by 8:00 PM.
• Brush teeth by 8:15 PM.
• Set out clothes for tomorrow by 8:30 PM.

What to do if reminders are not working

Check the due time

The time may not match your real routine. Move it earlier or later.

Make the task smaller

“Clean room” may be too big. Try “Put clothes in hamper.”

Add clear instructions

If the child does not know what “done” means, add a note, checklist, image, or video.

Use fewer reminders

If there are too many alerts, kids may ignore all of them.

Review the task in Weekly View

If a reminder is missed often, look for a pattern. The issue may be the schedule, not the child.

Common questions

Can I set reminders for weekly chores?

Yes. Weekly chores can have a due day, due time, and reminder.

Can reminders repeat?

Yes. Recurring tasks can have reminders connected to the repeat schedule.

Can parents be notified when a chore is complete?

Yes, notification settings can help parents know when chores are completed, depending on the family setup.

Should I use reminders for every task?

No. Use reminders for the tasks that need time support. Keep the rest simple.

Best first action

Pick one task you repeat out loud every day. Add a due time and one reminder for that task.

Related pages

• /smoresup/clear-instructions
• /smoresup/weekly-view
• /smoresup/getting-started