Household Tasks

A planned meeting as a couple/family can be an effective way to connect and make plans. You can use this time to discuss the division of household responsibilities and renegotiate if needed (see Household Tasks List below). It can also be a time to check in regarding how everyone is doing/feeling. You can make upcoming family plans, show appreciation to one another, or share exciting news or concerns. Family meetings are also opportunities to practice speaking and listening skills.

To have meetings that suit your family’s unique needs, consider the following: 

• Scheduling meetings ahead of time (e.g., weekly, biweekly, monthly). 
• Allowing any member to call an additional meeting on short notice if needed. 
• Agreeing on what a person needs to do to call a meeting. 
• Having a back-up plan if someone cannot attend (e.g., called into work). 
• Including something fun in each meeting (e.g., game, treat, music). 
• Checking in at the start of each meeting to find out what members want to address.  
• Discussing the process for family problem solving and decision making.  
• Keeping notes from the meetings so you can track family goals.  
• Including moments to express appreciation and gratitude.  

Once you have decided on the frequency of meetings and considered everyone’s availability, schedule your meetings and make a commitment to attend. After each meeting, talk about what went well and potential changes for upcoming meetings.  

Together, make a list of all your household tasks (e.g., housework, preparing meals, vehicle maintenance, children’s activities, appointments, managing finances, etc.). Note the specific responsibilities within each area, how long it typically takes to complete the task, and how often the task needs to be completed. The purpose of this exercise is to work toward dividing household tasks in a way that is a good fit for your family and your current situation. This is a chance to review the division of labour within your family to see if anything needs to shift or change. 

When creating your list together, discuss: 

• If there are household tasks you enjoy doing or prefer. 
• Which tasks are a priority, and which can wait. 
• Which tasks are daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonal. 
• How “well” a task should be done to be considered complete. 
• Who is currently doing each task. 
• Which tasks might be appropriate for small children.
• How teens can contribute to some of the more challenging household tasks.

Here is an example of household tasks to consider:

Below is a template for creating a Household Tasks List. You may want to create a customized list and display it where it can be viewed by the whole family. Use the download button to save and print your list.

DOWNLOAD: Household Tasks List