Keeping the home clean and organized can be a major challenge for a single working parent. Enlisting the help of your children to help take care of the many responsibilities can help them to learn necessary life skills, create more free time for play together and learn teamwork.
Since children will one day grow to be adults, performing chores can help them to grow to be responsible, self-sufficient adults.
Assigning chores for children to do can help instill a sense of ownership in both the family and the home, which is important especially for children of divorce who may travel frequently between their parents homes and not feel like they belong in one or the other dwelling.
You can create a weekly job chart on a dry erase board or paper to help keep the assignments clear, and to record when the chores are properly finished. Try assigning at least one chore per day per child so that it becomes a positive habit. You can utilize stickers or smiley faces to place on the chart when the chores are completed to help your child feel a positive sense of accomplishment.
If your child is resistant to doing chores don’t waver, but also make sure that you are modeling doing housework in a positive way, as well as cooperating with each other to get the job done.
Try to keep up with the laundry and dishes on a daily basis, so that you don’t get overwhelmed and have to spend an entire day catching up. In addition, to the lighter daily chores, I used to pick Friday nights to do the bulk of the housework, even though I was tired from a busy week at work, but I wanted to have the weekends to relax and enjoy a special activity with the children instead of wading through loads of laundry, cleaning the bathroom and mopping.
The amount and type of chores that children can do vary according to their ages and abilities. Below is a list of age appropriate chores from About.com.
Age 2-3
Many toddlers are eager to help with chores, and while their “helping” may not always be appreciated, keeping their excitement and the habit of helping out alive, should be. Sticker charts are a great way to keep toddlers excited about helping. Their chores may have to be completed with you helping every step of the way, but you are laying the groundwork for children that find chores and helping a way of life. Some chores 2-3 year olds can do…
Help make the bed.
Pick up toys and books.
Take laundry to the laundry room.
Help feed pets.
Help wipe up messes.
Dust with socks on their hands.
Mop in areas with help.
Ages 4 and 5
Preschoolers still find helping to be an exciting venture and usually are thrilled when time is taken to teach them new chores. They are ready to do some chores without constant supervision. Rewards at this age are very motivating. A sticker chart that allows you to build up to bigger rewards can be appropriate. For some preschoolers, tying chores to an allowance is a great option and fosters independence in choosing a reward.
Some chores preschoolers can do in addition to the ones above…
Clear and set the table.
Dust
Help out in cooking and preparing food.
Carrying and putting away groceries.
Ages 6-8
These school age kids may or may not still have their childlike enthusiasm for completing chores. What they do have, however, is an overwhelming desire to be independent. Parents and caregivers can guide children to become independent in their chores, using chore charts to keep track of their responsibilities both completed and pending.
Some chores that they are capable of in addition to the ones above…
Take care of pets.
Vacuum and mop.
Take out trash.
Fold and put away laundry.
Ages 9-12
Children in this preteen age are capable of increasing responsibility where chores are concerned. Keep in mind that many children this age rely on continuity. Find a system that works for your family and do not change it without the input and support of the people it directly affects. Make sure that you factor in rewards and consequences and address those issues with your children. Let them know the consequences of not completing chores, as well as the rewards for fulfilling their responsibilities. Some Chores preteens are capable of in addition to the ones above…
Help wash the car.
Learn to wash dishes.
Help prepare simple meals.
Clean the bathroom.
Rake leaves.
Operate the washer and dryer.
Ages 13-17
Teenagers are developmentally ready to handle almost any chore in the home. At the same time a teenager’s schedule can sometimes become quite hectic, leaving little time for chores. Make sure that the workload of your teenagers is manageable. Some chores teenagers are capable of in addition to the ones above…
Replace light bulbs and vacuum cleaner bags.
All parts of the laundry.
Wash windows.
Clean out refrigerator and other kitchen appliances.
Prepare meals.
Prepare grocery lists.
In my next article I will discuss the pro’s and con’s of giving an allowance for doing chores.