“What chores do your kids do?”

Children’s Chores!?!

By Leslie Fetters

When did you first thinkabout chores for your kids? Did you have a great plan from the time they wereborn and you implemented it perfectly? Or maybe it was quite different.  It was at a playgroup when another momcasually asked, “What chores do your kids do?”  Did you feel confused, frustrated,defensive or guilty? Often, we work so hard to make sure our kiddos are fed,bathed, clothed, at appointments on time and finish their homework that timefor “their” chores seems impossible to find.   
Are any of the following your excuse:

    My kids are still too young for chores – Children are never too young to          understand that ina family, everyone helps out. Toddlers can pick up toys, put    clothes in the hamper, turn the TV off,help set the table and turn on the dishwasher. Most bigger chores build upon aseries of these baby steps anyway.

It’sjust faster to do it myself – Probablytrue. And you do the job “right.” However, if you put some time into trainingthem now, you’ll be rewarded with a child used to carrying his share of thehousehold load. This will help when life inevitable gets moving faster andfaster as the kids grow.

Theyalready know how to do chores –Knowing how to do something is verydifferent than being able to dosomething. Everything from sweeping to toilet cleaning to laundry takes somepractice. Learning these skills at home from mom (or dad) better prepares themfor living on their own some day.

Idon’t need the help – You might not needthose extra hands but instead of sparing them the effort, you’re denying themthe opportunity to work for the good of the household.  It is that contribution that makes themfeel needed and important to the strength of the family. Work with the team –win with the team!

These may be excuses you’veused before.  But I encourage youto grab hold of a better vision for your family: one full of skilled,responsible members who can get the job done so there’s time for fun!