Making Household Chores A Family Thing

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Anyone who has children knows how they can turn into tornadoes on two legs! Up until a certain age though, we unfortunately cannot rely on our little kiddos to pick up after themselves or to help out with the daily chores. But what happens when they reach an age where they are responsible enough to give a hand? Do your children contribute more in dirtying the house than making it shine? Here are some tricks to restore order in the management of the housework.

Be specific in regards to the tasks that need to be performed. Rather than saying "Clean your room", try something like "Put your toys in the trunk and place your books in the library".

For the repetitive tasks, put up a checklist describing the steps. For example, after a bath:
  • I empty the bath.
  • I wipe the water off the floor.
  • I put away my towel on the towel rank.

Make your child choose himself 2 or 3 chores that he will be committed to perform for a little while. If the decision comes from him, he will collaborate more.

Give him some latitude as to when he can accomplish his tasks. Does he prefer cleaning his room on Saturday mornings or Wednesday evenings?

Do not require perfection, otherwise your child will lose all motivation. Additionally, try to avoid going over what he did and redoing it your way.

Create a "motivational sheet" (or table), with checkmarks and smiley faces, for the common chores. To steer clear of losing its effectiveness, make sure you fill it out on a constant basis.

If your child believes he is doing everything around the house, put up a list of your own tasks, just to bring him back to reality.

Have fun! Put some music on, crank up the volume, and dance along while performing the big chores!

Praise, render thanks, congratulate and recognize the efforts, even when the results aren't flawless.

Avoid rewarding the accomplished duties with money. Are you paid to do the laundry? In a family, everyone must pitch in and do their part. If you do give pocket money, do it independently of these responsibilities.




16 Fabulous Comments:

Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch said...

Great post! Have a fantastic week!

Sewinggranny - Mona said...

Great ideas... have to try some on grandson!

Holly said...

I am a big believer in chores for children and I could not agree more about making it a fun experience for everyone. Great post!

Jen @ Healthy Kitchen Guide said...

Great ideas! My kids are all older (the youngest is 8) but I still struggle with getting them to help around the house.

Mom vs. the boys said...

we are just getting into chores and helping out more with my boys, they are 6,4 and 3

OurHopeIsInTheLord said...

I agree, everyone needs to pitch in:)

LaVonne said...

Thanks for these tips. I am wondering when I need to institute chore time. At what age? Not sure yet. But I do know that my 4 year old loves helping clean. It is a family thing. But I was thinking of putting together a chore chart. Still deciding about allowance.

Mudpiesandtiaras said...

Great ideas!!!!

SOS Mom said...

The earlier you teach them, the better! My son is 18 months old and LOVES house chores! I know all kids are different too, but it all comes down to how it is presented to them. Also, it is best not to offer allowance, not in regards to the your little one's tasks anyways. Because they end up doing it for the wrong reasons!

Unknown said...

Great post and tips.

Allyson Bossie said...

Great post, and such good tips. Even my 3 year old has jobs such as put his clothes in the laundry room, put away his clothes in his drawers, etc. Never too young!

Unknown said...

Great tips! We use a rewards chart with my four year old and he loves it, I'm glad you shared that idea, it really works :)

Holly (Woman Tribune) said...

These are really great tips, especially praising and congratulating after a job well done, or just a job done at all. Manners and being responsible for your own toys were the biggest issues I have had with my two stepdaughters, but because of the consistent praise and being sure to tell them that I appreciated what they did, we don't have any problems whatsoever getting them to pick their toys up after they have strewn them all over the house or saying please, thank you, excuse me, etc.

Happy Gardening, Kim said...

Your first sentence is so so true!!!. Brody loves to sweep and vacuum.

Unknown said...

my boys are 7 and 4 and they both love to help me with the small stuff =]

brooke said...

Awesome ideas. Going to implement some with my almost 8 year old. He already takes out the trash, but that is his "chore" for money. :)

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