EVERYTHING
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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Your Family At Home
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Do your kids leave a trail of socks, backpacks and empty soda cans behind them? And are you tired of following behind that trail straightening and swabbing and picking up after all those little “able” bodies? It wasn’t so long ago that children were effective, if not essential, household contributors. They toiled in fields, cooked and cleared the table and were even competent caretakers for their younger siblings. All of this and for no pay! But, the ease and convenience of our modern times threatens to make lazy, uninspired workers out of our kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges that “children need to have some obligations and duties within the family, or they will not learn to accept responsibility. In unstructured home environments, or in families that are very permissive and where little is expected of children, youngsters are losing out on some valuable learning experiences…” Are you ready to get your kids on board? It’s a lot easier than you might think. Read on for some quick and easy steps to assigning household chores to your children that are manageable and will help build their sense of duty and self-esteem. Discuss why chores are necessary. Call a family meeting to order and talk together about why some chores are more vital than others and yet how they are all equally important. What is likely to happen if certain jobs are not done? Decide, as a family, what chores are available for the kids to do. Determine the value of each job and when and how it should be completed. Does everyone feel the list is fair and manageable? Divvy up the jobs after it’s been decided who will be responsible for each task. How will the job best be accomplished? It may be that some of the jobs will require teamwork and that’s OK. Post a list of the jobs in plain view where everyone will have access to it. Demonstrate how you’d like the chores to be completed. This is perhaps the most important aspect of the process. It’s not fair to expect that your child will just simply “know” how to complete a task by having watched you. Chances are they haven’t been paying attention. Teach, teach, teach! Determine and agree upon what makes a job well-done. Is the bedroom floor clear of books, clothes and socks? Are the dishes stacked? Has the dog been fed in the morning and at night? Deadlines are important. Agree to a reasonable and attainable timetable and then enforce it consistently with rewards and a good many pats on the back! Follow these simple steps and you’ll be sure to raise responsible children who will value such things as pride, teamwork and a clean house! To pay or not to pay? That is the question. Ultimately, it’s your call, parents. The promise of money or rewards can be a very good incentive for unmotivated workers. And it’s a great opportunity to teach the value of money saving it and spending it wisely. But, great care should be taken to emphasize the idea that household chores are a “family endeavor” and that working as a team to maintain a safe, clean home is reward enough. Chores by ages What kinds of jobs are suitable for the ages of your kids? Here are some ideas: • Preschool (3-5 years): Pick up own toys Put clothes in hamper Dress yourself Be a “helper” Brush teeth Toss juice box in trash Help clear the table Perform “fetching” errands • Elementary (6-8 years): Set and clear the table Dust furniture Empty the trash Complete homework Pull weeds Play with younger siblings Feed the pets Undertake personal hygiene • Elementary (9-11 years): Organize DVDs Plan meals Put away laundry Make bed Walk the dog Maintain clean room Vacuum Load the dishwasher • Teens (12-17 years): Cook meals Wash the cars Do their own laundry Run errands Mow the lawn Mop the floors Babysit siblings Sweep the pool Kerri S. Mabee writes from Temecula. |
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