Reply to Any true success at making kids do chores

Forum Index » Tweens and Teens

Reply to "Any true success at making kids do chores"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]We don’t call it chores. We call it “your share of the housework.” They do the work usually without much complaint. (13 and 10 y.o.) I’ve noticed that what works best is when it happens on a regular, predictable schedule. For example, together they empty the dishwasher each morning. It’s part of their morning routine just like getting dressed and brushing teeth. There’s no reminder needed because it happens every day in the same sequence.
Stuff like talking out the recycling, which they do less often and therefore less automatically, often needs a reminder. To a certain extent we let them choose which of these periodic chores they preferred to take on as their own.
We don’t tie allowance to chores. Allowance is a tool for learning money management. 
We’re not hugely dogmatic about this…. Just like I might slack off on a chore if I’ve had a hard day, and my spouse will pick up the slack as an act of love, sometimes I do the same for them as a treat if they are wiped out. But I tell them why I’m doing it. 
I think it helps that they’ve been in Montessori which stresses the classroom environment and shared caring for it. But we’ve also taken the approach that their taking on more housework is a sign that we recognize their growing ability and maturity, it’s not something we’re doing to punish them but rather a recognition of their ability to contribute. 
I think trying to trade phone for chores, for example, makes it into a power thing. Better to sit everyone down and say, “here’s all the work that needs to be done to keep this place going, we all have to chip in as self-respecting humans, so what are you willing/able to take on.” Get some buy-in rather than bribes or ultimatums. I praise their strength as they are hauling in groceries. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics