I’m a working mom with three boys at home this summer, and I used AI to build our entire summer system: rotating daily chores, a custom schedule, and a project earnings tracker. Here’s what I built and how you can do the same thing.

Summer is here and I have the usual mix of excitement and mild panic. I love summer! I also know that without a real system in place, someone will say “I’m bored” by 9am and I’ll struggle to get any work done.

This year I decided to get creative and use AI to help me organize and plan our summer schedule. It was helpful to just braindump my pain points, things that are set in stone like a daily weight training camp for one of my sons, specific rules and expectations, and then have AI help me come up with a schedule and a plan.

What we created is a total game changer. Here’s the full breakdown.

What You Need to Get Started

Claude AI is genuinely one of the best AI tools out there for complex, multi-step planning. You can use it free on the web, but for what I’m describing here you’ll want two things:

• Claude Pro ($20/month at claude.ai)
• The Claude desktop app downloaded to your computer

The desktop app has a feature called Cowork, which lets Claude build artifacts, which are live, interactive dashboards that update automatically. This is how our daily chore board refreshes itself every morning at 8am without me doing a thing.

The Daily Chore System That Runs Itself

I uploaded my household chore list (organized by how long each chore takes — quick, medium, and longer ones) and asked Claude to build a rotating daily chore assignment system. What it created is a live chore board in my Cowork sidebar that:

• Randomly assigns each kid a mix of quick and bigger chores every day
• Cycles through the entire list before repeating any chore
• Updates automatically at 8am every morning
• Is color-coded by difficulty so it’s easy to read at a glance

I open it every morning and put it on their daily checklist. I’m toggling between The Skylight Calendar, a daily printable checklist for their whole day, and just a handwritten note. They check it when they get up. Zero nagging required.

You can see the list of 50+ chores RIGHT HERE!

A Summer Schedule That Actually Works for Everyone

I gave Claude all the details — my workout class times, each kid’s morning activities, when I need uninterrupted work time, meal times, and my screen time rules — and it built a tabbed schedule artifact with a view for each person in our family plus a family overview.

For our family it came out like this:

• My work blocks are 9am–12:30pm and 1pm–3:30pm — exactly 6 hours. The afternoon block is completely protected while the kids are in project time.
• After morning activities, the kids eat a good breakfast, work through their morning routine (bed, dishwasher, chores, piano), and have screen-free time before our 12:30pm family lunch.
• Video games don’t unlock until 3:30pm.
• Dinner at 6pm, family time after.

I love that it built breathing room into the day instead of just stacking tasks. I thrive on time blocking, and that’s basically what it built.

The best part is that I told it my pain points and it gave suggestions based on my energy levels throughout the week, my kid’s schedules, work deadlines, and more. I was able to rearrange my weekly schedule into blocks to help me be more efficient and work smarter.

The Summer Project Earnings Tracker

This is my favorite piece of the whole system. I wanted each of my boys to have a big summer project tied to earning money.

Each of them have spent the last few weeks thinking of something big that they want to work on this summer. This could be whatever they wanted.

My sixteen year old wants to build a video game, my thirteen year old wants to write and draw a graphic novel, and my ten year old is going to do a series of smaller projects throughout the summer. His first is to build a birdhouse for our yard.

Claude built a four-phase earnings tracker for each kid based on 50 project sessions over the summer. Here’s how the phases work:

• Phase 1 — Plan & Launch: Define the project, make a plan, gather materials. Show Mom.
• Phase 2 — Building: Visible progress. Something to show for the sessions put in.
• Phase 3 — Deep Work: Major progress.
• Phase 4 — Finish & Present: My oldest two will probably not have their projects done by the end of the summer, but they can still present what they’ve accomplished.

Each phase has a payout (it’s a different amount of money for each of them based on their age), and before I hand over the money there’s a built-in Mom’s review and sign-off. It’s a check-in moment where they walk me through what they’ve done over the past few weeks. I love this part.

Claude generated printable PDF trackers for each kid with 50 numbered session checkboxes, phase banners with payout amounts, and my sign-off line at each milestone. Print, post, and check off as they go.

You can see an example RIGHT HERE!

The Daily Printable Checklist

The last thing Claude built is a one-page daily checklist for each kid that ties everything together — their schedule, standard morning chore checkboxes, three fill-in lines for their assigned chores from the board, a piano checkbox, a project session checkbox with a notes line, and three circles to track their video game hours. Everything they need to know for the day, on one page.

Each morning I write in their three chores from the chore board and they work through the list. I don’t have to remind them what’s next.

All of it is totally flexible, but building in rough time blocks helps keep all of us on track and gives them things to work on without needing me while I get in some dedicated work hours.

Also, we only use this for my three big work days during the week. The rest of the week is much more flexible and allows time for friends and swimming for hours, and going on outings together. I still want the summer to be FUN, but also I need to work. This is giving me that balance, I hope.

How to Build This for Your Family

The key to getting good results from Claude is being specific. Here’s how I’d approach it:

1. Start with your chore list. Organize chores by time (quick/medium/longer), upload the document, and ask for a rotating daily assignment system. You can see our list of ideas RIGHT HERE.
2. Build the schedule. Share your work days, each kid’s activities, screen time rules, and meal times. Ask for a tabbed artifact with one tab per person.
3. Set up the project tracker. Tell Claude how many kids you have, what you’d like each to potentially earn, and ask for a four-phase system with 50 sessions and mom’s sign-off lines. Ask for printable PDFs.
4. Ask for the daily checklist. One page per kid, in their own color, combining the schedule and all the check-off items.

The whole thing took me about an hour in one sitting. Claude asked smart clarifying questions along the way and honestly thought through things I hadn’t even considered yet.

One note on the chore board: for the 8am auto-update to work, the Cowork desktop app needs to be open when the task runs. I just make sure it’s open in the morning and it takes care of the rest.

My Honest Take

I was skeptical. I use AI for my business everyday, but hadn’t used it for our personal lives up til now. But I gave it a try, and I loved that Claude asked questions as it built, and was able to make any revisions based on my feedback. It took what I could have made myself and made it simpler, more efficient, and honestly better.

If you’re a working mom (or not!) heading into summer trying to hold the schedule, the chores, the screen time, and your sanity together all at once, I really think this is worth trying.

Are you using AI to help plan your summer? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

If you need summer chore ideas for your kids, this is for you. Here’s the list I use with my boys, how I organize it, and why we do summer chores in the first place, plus a peek at the automated system I’m using this year that has basically eliminated all chore complaints in our house.

**SEO Title:** Summer Chores for Teens and Tweens: A Huge List + Simple System
**Meta Description:** Need summer chore ideas for your kids? Here’s a big list of chores for teens and tweens, organized by how long they take, plus the daily system we use all summer long.
**Focus Keywords:** summer chores for kids, chore ideas for teens, chore ideas for tweens, summer chore list, summer chore chart, chore system for kids

Why We Do Summer Chores

Growing up, every single summer morning I came downstairs and found a handwritten list of chores on the kitchen table. My dad left for work before we woke up, so by the time I got to the kitchen, this list was on the table waiting for us.  The expectation was simple: get them done before the end of the day.

Obviously, I didn’t love it as a kid, but it taught us hard work, the importance of contributing to the household, and helped us accomplish something during those long summer days.

How I Organize the Chores

I sort all our chores into three categories by how much time they take:

Green Chores are quick tasks, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Small but satisfying things that make the house look and feel better.

Yellow Chores are medium tasks, around 10 to 20 minutes. A little more effort, a little more impact.

Red Chores are the bigger ones, 20 to 30 minutes. The deep-clean, move-things-around, actually-makes-a-dent jobs.

Each day, every boy does one of the following combinations:
– Two Green chores + one Yellow or one Red
– One Yellow + one Red

Next week I’m going to write a full post about how I set this up using AI automation this summer, and it has been a genuine game-changer. Zero arguing about who got which chores, zero decision fatigue for me. Why? Because I didn’t pick the chores. Claude did! I’ll share more soon.

A Big List of Summer Chore Ideas for Teens and Tweens

Here’s everything I pull from when I’m building my boys’ daily lists. There’s enough variety here to rotate all summer without repeating yourself too much.

Green Chores (5–10 min)

– Dust fan blades in bedrooms
– Clean air vents in bedrooms
– Replace filter in vents
– Clean out under your bed
– Wipe down the bar stools
– Dust Dad’s office shelves
– Vacuum under the couch cushions
– Wipe fingerprints off all stainless steel appliances
– Clean microwave inside and out
– Throw away expired pantry items
– Clean crumbs out of toaster
– Deep clean sink and faucet
– Polish refrigerator handles
– Refill snack bins or drink fridge
– Sort and consolidate condiment bottles
– Clean mirrors and light switches
– Refill toilet paper and soap stations
– Wash bath mats
– Clean hair out of drains
– Wipe cabinet fronts
– Sanitize door handles and knobs
– Organize nightstand drawers
– Rotate and fluff couch cushions
– Dust lamps and lampshades
– Organize the pencil drawer in the kitchen
– Dust picture frames
– Clean mirrors throughout the house
– Vacuum headboards
– Match socks in drawers or bins
– Wipe down washer and dryer
– Organize balls and sports equipment
– Leaf blow the front porch
– Wipe outdoor light fixtures
– Pick up sticks in yard
– Reorganize pool towels
– Sweep back patio stairs
– Spray off back patio fire pit chairs
– Check basketballs and soccer balls and inflate if needed
– Replace burned-out lightbulbs
– Shred old papers
– Clean fingerprints off TV screens carefully
– Wipe stair railings
– Organize batteries drawer in laundry room
– Restock paper towels and toilet paper around the house
– Empty small trash cans throughout house
– Wash reusable water bottles thoroughly

Yellow Chores (10–20 min)

– Vacuum and wipe down the vents
– Clean out the shoe drawers (vacuum and wipe as needed)
– Add museum putty to picture frames and level them
– Magic eraser walls in high traffic areas
– Power wash the recycle bin
– Wipe down the kitchen cupboards
– Wipe down and organize the spice cupboard
– Clean out locker in the mud room
– Organize the bookshelf in Benson’s room
– Organize the linen closet
– Vacuum crumbs from kitchen drawers
– Organize Tupperware drawer and match lids
– Wipe down pantry shelves
– Wipe baseboards in one bathroom
– Organize bathroom drawers
– Vacuum under all beds
– Dust window blinds
– Wash windows inside
– Vacuum stairs
– Vacuum behind dressers
– Organize laundry room cupboards
– Vacuum lint inside dryer (take out the lint trays and completely clean them out)
– Go through your closet and take out anything that’s stained, too small, or you don’t wear. Put in the back of Benson’s car for donations, or throw away
– Organize sports gear bin in the garage
– Use leaf blower to clean out garage
– Pull weeds in garden boxes
– Clean back door and driveway door glass
– Hose off outdoor furniture
– Clean trash cans inside and out
– Organize tool chest in garage

Red Chores (20–30 min)

– Clean out the fridge
– Clean behind appliances in kitchen
– Clean behind appliances in basement
– Clean out the ice machine
– Wash the patio cushions
– Vacuum and organize the coat closet
– Power wash the back patio
– Power wash the front walkway
– Power wash the driveway side door porch
– Power wash the sides and top of the hot tub
– Organize the game bins, check for missing pieces, and donate old ones

A Few Tips Before You Start

Be specific about what “done” looks like. When I share the list, I’ll give additional verbal instructions, if needed, and give a final check off of approval, if needed.

Give them the whole day to get it done. If the expectation is clear and the deadline is before any screens or going anywhere, it gets done. You don’t need to hover.

Using a big pool of chores means the house gets a thorough clean over the week and nothing becomes anyone’s permanent job. This keeps things interesting and no one gets burned out.

I’ll have a full post up next week about the automated system we’re using this summer to assign chores and run the whole thing with way less effort on my end. If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen trying to figure out who should do what while two kids stare at you waiting, you’re going to want to read that one.

A few days ago I posted a question box on Instagram about Habit Stacking…you know, those things you pair together so that one habit triggers another.

I shared that I’ve been habit stacking three things lately and they make a big difference for me:

1. Every time I lift weights at home, I wear teeth whitening strips. My weight lifting sessions are 30-40 mins, so this is perfect.
2. After I drop my middle schooler off in the morning, I do my morning prayers out loud in my car on the way home. It’s a great way to focus better on my prayers and really just talk to God.
3. I edit videos for instagram when I’m on the treadmill or the elliptical.

When I asked what habit stacks you do, I honestly wasn’t prepared for the response I received. Creative, practical, genius ideas, and so many of you asked me to share them, so here we are!

If you’re not familiar with habit stacking, the basic idea is this: instead of trying to build a brand new habit from scratch, you attach it to something you already do automatically. Brush your teeth every morning? That’s your trigger. Now what can you add to it? The habit you already have becomes the cue for the new habit you want to build. It’s one of my favorite productivity concepts and it genuinely works — I wrote about my own experience with keystone habits here if you want to go deeper on the concept.

But today I just want to share all of your incredible ideas. I’ve grouped them by category so you can find what feels most doable for where you are right now. There’s something in here for everyone, I promise.

Exercise & Movement Stacks

This was BY FAR the most popular category. You guys are sneaking in movement in the most creative ways, and honestly I’m taking notes.

• Calf raises while brushing your teeth — this one came up so many times I lost count. Several of you also mentioned doing 20 reps specifically, because it makes you brush longer (genius!).
• Squats while brushing your teeth — same idea, different exercise. A few of you mentioned switching legs or hands partway through for an extra brain boost.
• Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand — this one is great for balance AND brain health.
• Leg lifts or squats while brushing your teeth
• Calf raises in the shower and deep squats while the morning coffee brews
• Squats while scanning or printing something at work
• Pelvic floor exercises at red traffic lights — I mean, YES.
• Walk the neighborhood while the kids are at music lessons
• Treadmill walks while lunch is heating up (for the work from home crowd!)
• Sit on the floor and stretch every time you start a show
• Plank while waiting for the toast
• Drink AG1 + supplements while working out
• Vibration plate in the morning while doing skincare and makeup
• Red light mask + vibration plate (multi-tasking at its finest)
• Using a walking pad while watching long sports games
• Read a Kindle while on the treadmill

Podcast, Audiobook & Learning Stacks

So many of you are using “dead time” — commutes, chores, getting ready — to learn something new or fill your brain with good content. This is such a smart way to do it, and something I have done for years!

• Listen to a news podcast every morning while emptying the dishwasher
• Listen to audiobooks while doing dishes
• Listen to BibleRecap and walk on the treadmill
• The Bible Recap while getting ready in the morning
• Audiobooks while jogging
• Listen to audiobooks while driving and also while walking
• Audiobooks on the commute (for those who can never find time to “read”)
• Spanish lessons on the phone while waiting in the school pickup line — one person had a 3.5 year streak doing this, which is incredible!
• Meditations on the Calm app while driving to work
• Listen to a personal development book while eating breakfast and lunch
• Scroll Instagram only while exercising — love this one as a way to make social media feel intentional

Spiritual & Faith Stacks

This category made my heart so happy. So many of you are weaving in scripture, prayer, and faith practices in such natural, beautiful ways.

• Listen to Come Follow Me while doing the face routine at night
• Listen to conference talks while putting on makeup
• Listen to scriptures while getting ready for bed
• Listen to scriptures/conference talks while showering and getting ready
• Read scriptures while nursing at night — one reader called it “double sacred instead of triggering,” and I just love that perspective.
• Listening to scriptures while on a walking pad
• Red light therapy and scripture reading (paired together!)
• Scriptures and vitamins with the kids in the morning — vitamins for physical health, scriptures for spiritual health. Love this framing.
• Listening to the Bible in a Year on the way home from school drop off
• Walk and pray the rosary
• When I walk my dog, I talk to God — “walk and talk” time
• Pray after making the bed — if the bed isn’t made, you know you forgot to pray that morning.
• Listen to a conference talk while in the shower

Skincare & Beauty Stacks

Getting ready in the morning and at night is prime habit stacking territory, and you guys are USING it.

• Drink tea with collagen while reading before bed
• Water pik and toothbrush in the evening shower — never forget to floss!
• Floss while the kid is in the bath
• Floss in the shower every day
• Hang up clothes and clean the closet between applying layers of skincare
• Red light mask while listening to the Book of Mormon every morning
• Cuticle oil in the car — apply while at red lights
• Hair mask while taking an epsom salt soak
• Calf raises while brushing with your non-dominant hand for the last 30 seconds

Health & Supplement Stacks

Never forget to take your vitamins again — pair them with something you already do automatically!

• Fill your water in the morning = reminder to take medicine/vitamins
• First cup of coffee + medications/supplements
• Put supplements right next to the coffee maker so you take them in the morning
• Take supplements with breakfast, especially fat-soluble ones like Vitamin D
• Morning hot chocolate + supplements (one reader mentioned it helps mask the flavor of beef liver pills — lol, same)

Home & Chores Stacks

Chores feel so much less daunting when they’re automatically triggered by something else. These are so smart.

• Name what I’m grateful for while sudsing up in the morning shower
• Clean the disposal and dishwasher every time the house cleaner comes — that’s how I remember!
• Watering can in the laundry room — when the first load of laundry starts for the week, water the indoor plants
• Always wash sheets the morning the house cleaners come, so they can put them on
• Switch the laundry before leaving for school drop off or pick up (laundry near the garage makes this work)
• Pack lunch while breakfast is cooking — it becomes so automatic!
• Put on gym clothes immediately after brushing your teeth in the morning so you don’t bail (and lay them out the night before!)
• Take a box of donations to Goodwill every time you get your teeth cleaned
• Unstack the dishwasher while waiting for the kettle to boil and tea to steep
• Brown extra hamburger meat for another night whenever you’re already cooking it
• Check email and social media notifications only on walks

A Few Good Reminders

And finally, one response that didn’t fit a tidy category but is worth sharing anyway:

• “Just be gentle with yourself. I’ve learned as I’ve aged to give myself grace.” — and honestly, this might be the most important habit stack tip of all.

So there you have it — over 50 habit stacking ideas straight from your incredible brains! I feel like the most popular theme is doing something for your body or your mind during the in-between moments: the shower, the commute, brushing your teeth, waiting for things to cook or load. Those little pockets of time really do add up.

My personal takeaways? I want to start doing calf raises while I brush my teeth (this came up SO many times that I feel like I have no excuse not to), and I love the idea of listening to an audiobook while I do dishes because I genuinely just stand there thinking about other things anyway.

What are YOUR favorite habit stacks? Drop them in the comments — I have a feeling there are still so many good ideas out there!

xx Merrick