One thing that can make any parents’ life easier is their children help with chores around the house. Wouldn’t you like to have less housework to do? Here are 4 tips on getting your children to help out more with the chores around the house, regardless of their age.
Start Chores Young
Teaching your child at a young age will encourage them to keep helping as they get older. Young children can do a number of household chores, and some of the chores can even help them learn and grow skills. For example, have your child help you match socks. They will learn colours and helping you will become a fun task for them.
If you did not do this with your child at a young age you can still get them to help by making it bonding time until you feel they can do it on their own. Do chores with them, making it fun and enjoyable for them and they won’t mind doing them on their own eventually.
Teach Them
Don’t redo it when they are still there. If your child is still learning how to clean things, be sure to teach them step by step. Repeat the process a few times with them, and then let them do it on their own, with supervision of course.
If they happen to not do a good job, and it will happen, they are kids after all, be sure to encourage them and don’t redo the task when they are there. Making them think they did it very well will encourage them to keep doing it.
Give older kids chores on the weekend.
If your children are school age, possibly involved in many extracurricular activities, you can still have them help you. Small tasks like dusting, vacuuming, picking up their room, etc. can be done in just a few minutes.
Give them chores that they can complete in one hour on the weekends. This will teach them responsibility and it will help you out around the house without taking up too much of their time that is needed for homework and other important activities.
Make it fun and challenging!
No matter the age of your children you can make cleaning fun and exciting. If you have multiple children you can make it a game, whoever gets done first gets something extra. (Such as a special treat or snack, or maybe even a small toy if the task is large enough.)
Many children like being challenged. Saying “I bet you can’t do this in 5 minutes or less!” will make them WANT to do it and they won’t even realize that they are cleaning as well as helping you out.
Tune in next week when I will share some age-appropriate chores based on various ages.