Ways To Play

1. Separate the cards you want to use. You may want to use all, just a few, or none, depending on the categories.

2. Fan out the cards and have each child pick one card at a time, until all the cards are chosen.

3. Name cards are optional. They do not need to be used, but they are helpful if you have to manage daily chores.

4. Use wet or dry erase markers to write on cards. Use damp cloth to clean cards. No permanent markers.

I can only speak from experience. Each household is different, and you may find your own way to use OCD.

When I created OCD over a decade ago, I had a large blended family. Three, barely teens, and three under the age of six.

I used the name cards, with every child’s name. I handed out the older kids their name cards and they blindly picked a name card of the smaller kids to help out with during the week. I took each stack, hung them on small hooks on a whiteboard calendar hanging in the kitchen area. 

I have one child at home now, and I choose not to use the Name cards. When things need done around the house, I go through the stack of chores, pick out what needs to be done, and I play OCD with my child. We each pick one card until they are all gone. We typically do not set a due date, and do chores that day. 

When it comes living with another person it can be tricky to keep things fair and just. Use the chore cards to divide up work in a household.

Consequence cards can be used in ways where your roommate has to clean the kitchen for a week if they don’t get the house work done.

 OCD is helpful for keeping communication open. Talk about how you want to make your own rules to fit your household.

Below our random tips and ideas, you may find helpful when using OCD in your household.

Be the first to return all the cards and pick a reward card. 

Set goals, like making the bed every day of the week to earn reward card.

Write on blank Laundry Lotto card to assign to younger ones who want to be involved. Example: match and fold socks.

On Name cards, use different color markers to indicate when a bath is needed. Example: use red to mark when a bath is needed, and have it marked over in blue or black when completed. 

When a child has to choose their own consequence, lessons hit differently. Being held accountable is fundamental in one’s development. OCD teaches how to do so in a healthy way that ends up being a stress relief for parents. 

Communication is key, but most importantly, don’t forget to set that date when giving out reward cards. Following through will be important to who has earned a reward. And keep things real, if money is tight, don’t offer. Be creative with your own custom cards. 

Come back frequently to see if there have been any updates to this section. I would love to hear from those who have purchased OCD and how you play in your home.