A shared family to-do list: how to split household chores without arguments

Why household chores slip through the cracks so easily

In most homes the problem is not laziness but the lack of one place that shows what needs doing and who is taking it on. “But that was meant for today” or “nobody said it was mine” usually means that plans are scattered across conversations, text messages and memory. When the list is shared and visible to everyone, most misunderstandings disappear — and so does a lot of stress.

Five rules of a good family to-do list

1. One place for everyone. The list has to be available to every member of the household — ideally on the phone, because that is always at hand.
2. Every task has a person. “Someone will take out the bins” means nobody will. Assign a specific person — even if you swap roles next week.
3. Specific tasks instead of vague ones. Instead of “sort out the bathroom”, write “clean the bath and the mirror”. Smaller tasks are easier to start and easier to check off.
4. Dates where they matter. Bills, doctor’s appointments or collecting a parcel need a date. Everyday little things — not necessarily.
5. You can see what is done. Moving a task to “Done” feels good and shows everyone else that it is sorted — no need to ask.

A ready-made list to start with

Copy onto the board whatever suits your home, and assign people straight away:

• Weekend grocery shopping
• Pay the electricity bill (with a date)
• Take out the recycling — plastic and paper
• Vacuum and mop the floors
• Change the bed sheets
• Book the car service
• Collect the parcel from the parcel locker
• Buy a birthday present for Grandma (with a date)
• Do the laundry and hang it up
• Water the plants

How to do it in Add My Task

1. Create a board, e.g. “Home”, and invite the household by email. Everyone gets an invitation and sees the same board.
2. Add tasks to the To do column, then drag a person’s avatar onto the card — it is immediately clear whose task it is.
3. Give things with a date a due date. They appear in the calendar, and if someone already has another task at that time, the app will warn you.
4. Move a finished task to Done. Everyone sees the change straight away, without refreshing the page.

How to keep the list alive

• Once a week (e.g. on Sunday evening) go through the board together — 10 minutes is enough.
• Don’t add everything — an 80-item list is discouraging. Better 10–15 of the most important things.
• Swap the least liked tasks every week — changing the assigned person takes one move.
• Appreciate the “Done” column. It is the best proof that your shared system works.