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40 Fort Campbell Families-Fall BY BRIAN COATNEY Erin Phillips remembers the days when toys were everywhere on her floors and furniture. It was a clear sign that her sons Dylan and Colton were in the house having a ball. They could destroy a room real fast she said. On a mission to get the mess under control Erin a student at Hop- kinsville Community College and her husband Zach an Army staff ser- geant vet technician decided it was time to introduce their sons to chores. They started with picking up toys. Before nap time we all pitched in and tried to make it fun she said. We would sing silly little songs and made up stuff. The boys now 7 and 6 years old handle their own bathtime and feed the family dogs a German Shepherd and a Jack Russell terrier. Dylan the oldest likes bathing and feeling clean whereas Colton hates baths and doesnt mind skipping a few. Like toy pick up Erin knew she had to make it fun so she brought in a bucket of toys a loofah and tablets to color the bathwater. It didnt take long before the fun wore off and Erin was tired of having to bug them about their household duties. It was time for them to take responsibility for a few things she said. The boys began to want spending money so a large dry-erase board appeared on the kitchen wall. Erin divided it in half and outlined their daily chores. Everything on the list can get done in about 20 minutes. The boys take pride in telling dad what theyve done and earning their own money. I have to remind them at times since theyre little and they get busy Erin said. This often means a family huddle by the dry-erase board. They really get into it. Every Saturday is payday. They started out at 3 a week but can now earn up to 5. Erin said they arent big spenders yet. Its more fun to spend someone elses money she said so they are good savers. They will save about 40 and then go shopping but many times not even buy anything since shopping is still an overwhelm- ing experience. Some of their smaller purchases include a few snacks or little things that catch their interest. Dylan splurged last year and bought a pair of basketball shoes on clearance at the PX. He wore them every day to school. There is an old proverb Necessity is the mother of invention and the Phillips family has invented well. THE BOARD OF CHORES Moneyresponsibilitycomewiththeterritory ZachandErinPhillipsuseadry-eraseboardtoremindtheirsonsDylanandColtontodotheirchores.Ifeverythingisdonebytheendoftheweektheboysgetpaid.Adry- eraseboardisalsoagreatwaytokeepupwithhomeworkassignmentsandprojects. PHOTO PROVIDED