Taking care of your personal and communal space is a fact of life. It helps us be responsible, caring individuals. And it’s never too early to instill our kids with these values. But what chores can we give them, and how do we make sure they get done? To get inspired, here are a few suggestions for you and your family by age groups.
Kids under five-year-old. Don’t underestimate what young children can do. Give them simple chores like making their own bed, picking up clothes and toys. They can be great at pulling weeds in the garden, feeding pets, watering plants, and dusting bookshelves and ornaments. To ensure success, tell them how keeping a clean, organized space helps the entire family. Don’t criticize their efforts but sing their praises so they feel valued and proud of their efforts.
Six to ten-year-olds. Kids at this point can do more tricky chores such as folding laundry, setting the dinner table, putting away dishes, and vacuuming. The key is to resist the temptation to ask them multiple times (or to nag) because you’ll only feel more resistance. They still need positive reinforcement at this age so acknowledge their efforts and remind them they don’t have to be perfect. The idea is to encourage them to at least make an effort to do the chore in the first place.
Tweens and young teens. Your children may now be ready for more significant contributions. Their list of jobs could include helping cook meals, taking the trash can to the curb, loading the dishwasher, ironing their clothes, cleaning out the refrigerator, and cleaning the bathroom. Specific instructions might help them understand how and why things need to be done in a certain way. They need to know about safety and hygiene when handling knives, hot irons, and food. Giving them chemical-free products is the best option when it comes to tackling deep cleaning. Remind them they can go to their friend’s house after they’ve done their chores. Delaying gratification can work wonders with teens!
Start early, praise their efforts, and be firm when asking kids to contribute to caring for their home. Let’s face it, no one loves having to do housework all the time, but everyone appreciates a space that’s clean and organized. So grab the mop and bucket, and delegate!—RG
