Chores for Kids

[Merika]

What To Do
There are many things that parents can do to encourage their children to do household chores. Here are some suggestions:

*Start early
Parents should start giving their children household responsibilities when they are young.

*Show how to do the chore
Children need to know exactly what's expected of them.

*Teach one chore at a time
Young children can become confused when they are required to learn too much at one time.

*Break down the chore into small parts
When teaching chores, parents should break each one down into small parts. For example, instead of telling a child to clean his bedroom and leaving it at that, parents should list all of the things that make up the chore of cleaning the bedroom.

*Explain
Children need to know why pitching in and helping is important. Parents should explain that doing chores benefits the whole family, and that every person must do his or her part to keep things going smoothly.

*Provide logical consequences
For example, if a child repeatedly forgets to put his bike away at the end of the day, a logical consequence would be not being allowed to use the bicycle for a few days. On the other hand, a logical consequence for a child who repeatedly

*Don't repeatedly remind or nag. Parents should try to avoid falling into the trap of repeatedly reminding and/or nagging their children to complete their chores. Such reminding puts the responsibility for completion of the chores on the parents. Instead, parents should make sure that their children are given the sole responsibility for the completion of their chores. If a child forgets or refuses to do a chore, parents should say nothing and simply apply the consequences.

*Don't do the chore if your child forgets or refuses. Parents should not do their children's work for them. If parents get frustrated and give in and do their children's chores, children learn a number of things. First of all, children learn that their parents don't mean what they say and will not follow through. Secondly, children learn that if they hold out long enough someone will do their chores for them. Parents should simply apply consequences until their children comply.

*Provide lots of praise

For the entire article: www.parenting-ed.org/.../ chores.htm

[Merika]

I've been told by my parents and other older parents that one of the problems with today's kids is that they aren't responsible for enough chores....therefore the free time on their hands and extra energy not spent....leades to kids getting into trouble.

I don't know if this is true....but it makes sense.

Did you do chores as a child and do you require your child(ren) to do chores around the house? Are you strict about it?

[Duke]

Merika, we have to start putting these great articles of yours on the front page.

All you need to do is click the Submit News title in the Main Menu on the left and copy and paste you're message in the text box. Make up a title in the title bar and please provide a link.

The news article then goes into a queu for me to approve and edit. Once done, the article is on the front page and you get author credit.

[Paul]

Great article! I agree that it does make you more responsible when you are taking a part in the work around the house.

[Duke]

Agreed, kids need structure but at the same time it is very important to remember they are kids. I think many adults struggle with the concept because chores just aren't as high on a childs list of priorities as they are on the parents.

[Merika]

I don't know if they become good adults without understanding the adult system of priorities though. It's not just a matter of helping around the house to me.....it's a matter of respecting and taking care of what I've managed to provide.

People buy new vehicles and boats and houses......and then just trash them. WHY? Because they had no respect for their purchase. I find this to be the epitomy of trashy people. They annoy me!

[Duke]

Everything I buy falls apart on me and I have no idea why.

[Meanon]

That's all well and good but whose going to encourage me to do household chores? I hate to admit it but my 6 year old has taken on this role:

Mama, maybe if you make a list you wouldn't forget things.

Mama, Is (insert name of obsessively tidy best friend) coming over to tidy our kitchen?

Mama, (in voice of amazement) YOU'VE TIDIED UP!!!!!

I blame the parents, mine had a cleaner.

[Merika]

HAHA Meanon! I think we have had this 'tidy up' discussion before! For some people....it's not their high point. Even as a child or teen....I was always very picky and kept my room spotless. I think that makes ME the moron or the odd one out though...

[Meanon]

Well yes, as a teen I was normal. But now, I am the odd one out.
I have great hopes of being redeemed by my organised daughter

[Duke]

I hope all of my lifes mistakes are hid by my daughters greatness otherwise I'll prolly be buying the first round in hell.

[Adonaicole]

That's all well and good but whose going to encourage me to do household chores?

Meanon, have you cleaned your house today? Just kidding...

One rule I have for kids, "no work, no allowance". I tell them that they can have as much money as they want for allowance, as long as they work for it. I had a foster son once and whenever he needed money for a date or something, my house would be spotless....

[Merika]

You are right Adonai.....when the little suckers WANT something...they can be quite resourceful and QUITE the helpers! My kids wanted to go to the fair last year....they cleaned their rooms better than I could've done it.

They have never been that clean SINCE....but it was nice at the time.

I think a cash bribe is always good.....much like our employers have to give us as adults to show up!!!!

[Meanon]

Meanon, have you cleaned your house today?

LOL. NO but thanks for the encouragement.

You are quite right Merika. Bribery gets you everywhere with kids

[Duke]

I also find that if I'm cleaning, all it takes is asking my child to help out and she has no problem doing so. I think many kids feel like their forced into doing something and need to see the parent helping out.