Children and Chores

There is nothing wrong with giving your children chores to do. Contrary to what they may think, it is not a form of cruel and unusual punishment. To my knowledge, no child has ever died from washing dishes by hand or had their foot sucked up in the vacuum (as my youngest used to think!)

Chores are beneficial. It teaches our kids responsibility, cooperation and commitment-all important values they will need to carry them into and through adulthood. With that being said, telling your child that he or she has to do chores, but not enforcing the rules and ultimately doing it for them is teaching them nothing.

Here are a few tips that parents can use to encourage their children to do their chores:

Start early-teaching them young , even toddler age, is a good time. Give younger children smaller tasks and increase responsibility as your children get older.

· Show them how to do it-Don't just tell them how to do it. If there is a certain way you want their room kept or the dishes put away, show them. Showing them the right way in the beginning helps them to do it right each time.

· Challenge them later on-picking up toys as a toddler is the perfect way to start. But as your child grows they need and crave challenges. Most parents know what their child can handle, give responsibilities according to age and maturity level.

· Establish a rewards system-yes it's true that they will learn more valuable rewards such as responsibility or the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a task. But lets face it, kids are kids. They want a more tangible reward NOW. So do what works for you and your family. Their rewards may be a trip to the mall, an allowance or a special game they have had their eye on. You can give rewards weekly or monthly-again it's what is most convenient for your family's situation.

· Establish consequences for not following through-if your child constantly forgets to put his or her bike away, for example, a logical punishment would be not to allow him or her to use the bike for a period of time.

· Don't nag and nag-remind your child once that the chores have not been done. If it continues, say nothing and apply the consequences.

Praise your children for a job well done and it's likely that they will react to that positive stimulus and WANT to do the chore that you have trusted them with.