9: Moving From “I Do” to “I Do What?”

In Episode 9 of The IMbetween Podcast, Daniel and Christina Im talk about splitting chores, divvying up responsibilities and how to get stuff done.

Why assigning chores to everyone is important
How to split responsibilities with your spouse and your children
How the way you were raised will influence what you believe is “normal”
How birth order affects your “normals”
How your “normals” affect what expectations of chores you place on your children
Why instilling a “team mindset” in your children is important
What age-appropriate child chores look like
The importance of executive functioning in chores and how to teach your children executive skills
How we can serve one another through chores
When it is time to hire a house-cleaner
Why silence is important
How having a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule can help keep you on track

Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential – a WONDERFUL book that describes the importance of executive skills and functioning
Compassion International – the organization that we sponsor children with
Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule ideas

“Let’s hold hands while we take the trash out.”
“I’ll spoon you while you’re cooking.”
“It is our normals that affect our current behavior and expectations.”
“Marriages are happier and have a greater level of satisfaction when the chores are split evenly between spouses.”
“Sometimes you just gotta do what you have to do, even if you don’t feel like doing it.”
“Gameify your children’s’ chores.”
“We want to raise our children to be problem solvers.”
“A part of problem-solving is to know and realize what the problems are.”
“If I do it, they are never going to learn.”
“We needed to get rid of stuff so that our stuff wasn’t owning us, wasn’t owning our hearts, wasn’t owning our time.”
“When it comes to getting things done, it is important that we exemplify and have the heart of serving one another.”
“Once in a while, try to do something in complete silence.”
“I don’t have the time to reflect unless I make the time.”
“Your best ideas come when you are in the shower or on the can.”
“The most creative individuals make space to not think and to not continue to go.”
“Have an honest conversation with your spouse about chore expectations.”