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10 Easy Chores for Your Child!
Are you a busy mom who has a busy schedule and can’t keep up with cleaning? I feel ya. Not only am I a mama, I work a 40 hour work week, create decals on the side, run this blog, and I take care of my grandparents finances/medicine/chicken farm business. I STAY busy. My husband is the breadwinner in our home, and I don’t ask much of him. After all, he does have a tiring job. Our son, Hunter – age 7, is a huge help.
When Hunter was about 4 years old we started a chore routine. At this age he would do small tasks – picking up his room, cleaning the table after dinner, and sorting clothes. This was a huge help to me even though it doesn’t seem like much. These tasks were not too much responsibility, and it took a little off my shoulders. At first we would give him money per chore – 25¢ per job; however, if he complained about it he wouldn’t receive any compensation, but was still required to complete the task.
When Hunter was 5 we increased the chores. Since he was 5 years old he’s been
- sorting clothes
- loading clothes in the washer
- loading and unloading dishes
- taking out the trash
- feeding the dogs & our bearded dragon
- Cleaning the table after dinner
- Setting the table before dinner
- Folding towels
- Making his bed
- Cleaning his room
These are his regular chores. We no longer pay him to do them; but he does get reprimanded when he complains.
Recently we had a Lego Birthday Party for his 7th birthday and he was a super big help. Not only did he do his regular chores, he also volunteered to wash baseboards. And he washed every baseboard – without missing a spot. I was extremely impressed. This was a huge burden off my shoulders and allowed me to clean in other areas of the house. But the best part – He offered to do it and wanted to help.
Don’t limit your child to these chores either. Expand the horizon. Sometimes I let Hunter sweep, dust, and mop. I occasionally have to go over it again, but the lesson it teaches is far more valuable.
When implementing a new chore routine, you can adopt a few tips to lessen the complaining
- Start off with monetary rewards, if any complaining they still have to complete the chore without monetary compensation.
- Start light. You don’t want to ruin their interest in chores before they realize this is a need in your household.
- Make it FuN! Anything you can do to make it seem like a fun game the better. Some ideas include
- Make levels like a game. Once they master one goal, they move on to another goal.
- When doing dishes use the dishwasher as a game to see who can load it the best.
- When sweeping make a square in the floor with painters tape and the goal is to get the trash in the square.
- Sing while working.
- Reward with longer TV time, 15 minute longer bedtime, etc.
Chores teach a child responsibility, self-reliance, and life skills. Completing chores are proven to give a base foundation for your child to become self-sufficient and stimulates “belonging” to the family. Read more about the benefits of chores here.
So, are you a working mom who has a busy schedule and can’t keep up with cleaning? Get your children involved and make it fun for the family J!
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