Being part of a family is like being part of a team. Everyone needs to feel like they are contributing to the team, even young children. Chores are not only a great way to teach kids responsibility but also helps build confidence and helps them feel like they are contributing to their family. It shows them that everyone needs to help to lighten the workload. When a family has consistent chores for each of their children, they grow up to be more responsible adults. They will know how to start and finish and tasks.
So when can you start showing your children all about chores? You can start them as early as 2 years old. This can be as easy as picking up their toys when they are done playing with them to helping put their dirty clothes in the laundry. Starting them young will not only be a big help to you but also give them a sense of responsibility and confidence.
As children become older so should their household chore responsibilities. Chores should become more complex and taught step by step. Keep chore responsibilities consistent and always praise them when they are completed. Don’t expect perfection but always praise them for their efforts and encourage them to keep practicing.
For tweens and teens, chores may become more of a power struggle. You may need to put incentives to help keep their motivation to complete their chores. Many kids at this age group are motivated by money or electronics. You can implement a reward system that can help them completed their chores.
When children become older, these chores are a way to teach them real life skills such as cooking, how to clean the house, mow the lawn or even how to do their own laundry. Giving them allowance when these tasks are completed can teach them how to save and earn money to purchase something that they want. They learn about the hard earned dollar. Provide them with regular chores where they can earn a weekly allowance as well as having other harder chores available to do if they want to earn more money. This can be cleaning out the garage, organizing the books or deep cleaning the car.
Though it may seem difficult to always be persistent with your child to complete their chores, there are many benefits. Children who have a set of chores to complete at home have higher self-esteem, are more responsible and are able to deal with frustration and delay gratification much easier. This helps them become not only more successful at school but provides them life long skills.
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