Bit of background. Dd's are 12 and 14 and therefore will be left alone for some days during the holidays. I am fed up to the back teeth of coming home after a hard day at work to find the house a tip and the basics not done. So I have come up with the following rules, and plan to put them up on the noticeboard / fridge at home for all to see. It is necessary to spell things out to them, as they are very good at pleading ignorance "you didn't say we can't use the floor as a rubbish bin" (for example)
"1.You will be given £20 per week spending money. This is to cover all extra food / snacks you wish to eat, all activities you wish to take part in, and includes costs for travelling to and from activities. If you need extra money, you will need to fund it from your pocket money. This money will also be given for weeks you are away from home [staying with both sets of grandparents for a week each].
2.Food for lunches will be provided. No money is to be taken from the Spar box [box we have for day to day grocery money] for lunches. If you don't wish to eat what is provided, you should use your own money to buy lunch.
3.No friends are to come into the house without agreeing it with a parent first. If you aren't able to get hold of a parent to get permission, then you must not have friends round. If friends do come round, they should be entertained in the children's sitting room, and not in the living room.
4.There are certain chores that should be carried out every day. If necessary, a rota can be established to determine who should carry out the chores on each day. Chores MUST be completed by 5pm. If you are going to be out of the house until after 5pm, chores should be completed before going out.
Chores are:
Emptying dishwasher (if relevant)
Removing crockery (plates, bowls, cups, glasses, cutlery) from all rooms and putting into the dishwasher
Clearing all rubbish from all rooms and putting into relevant bins
Picking up clothes and taking to relevant bedrooms
Putting shoes into shoe cupboard
Tidying up anything else left lying around in inappropriate places (books, magazines, laptops, shopping bags etc, etc)
Checking the milk supply and purchasing from Spar if necessary
Bringing in empty bins / recycling bins on a Friday
Preparing the tea when requested
Any other ad-hoc chores that you may be asked to do on a daily basis"
AIBU? Is there anything obvious I have forgotten?