Motivating Kids to Help With Household Duties

Small children are interested in "helping" mama and daddy do things around the house. They want to help when they see mama baking cookies, washing dishes, or dusting furniture. Likewise, they want to help daddy with the plumbing. However, motivating kids to help with household duties--as a rule, can be difficult.

In some instances we discourage kids and cause them to lose interest by telling them "No. Wait until you're bigger."

Include your youngest child in the housework; it may slow progress but it's an essential first step in showing the child he's as important as the rest of the family and can participate in family duties.

Start your young child out by letting him dust and sweep along with you. He'll feel important and all grown up; and you'll get more work done.

Some household jobs a 5-year-old can do

1. Make the bed every day (it may be a little sloppy at first, but it'll improve with time).
2. Put clothes back in the closet or correct dresser drawer.
3. Put toys back in the toy chest.
4. Water houseplants.
5. Set the table.
6. Clear the table (one thing at a time).

Teach your child (step by step) how to do whatever job you ask of him (or her).

Once you've given your child certain definite jobs with clear-cut responsibilities, let him work without constant supervision. Check the result when he's finished and compliment him.

Clearly define the time of day when a child's job is to be completed--either before school, right after school, or by dinner.

On weekends, make up a list of chores and negotiate assignments over a leisurely breakfast. Break a big job down into steps and be sure the kids' ages and abilities are equal to their assignments.

Assume that boys and girls will do the housework in equal amounts and without sex designations; and assign their chores accordingly.

DON'Ts

1. Don't assume that they will learn the task completely by watching. Show, teach, train.
2. Don't let tasks (chores) lag over into the evening. This usually means the kids are wasting time playing and goofing off.
3. Don't redo a chore that a child has just completed. (IF you insist that a job be done only your way, then do it and be done with it). Redoing is destructive to a child's ego.
4. Don't expect a youngster to put in a full day's work. An hour is about all that can reasonably be expected of an 8-year-old. A 14-year-old can probably achieve almost as much as an adult, but this depends on the responsibility level of the teenager.

Some household chores a teenager can do

1. Empty wastebaskets and ashtrays.
2. Carry out trash.
3. Vacuum rugs and floors.
4. Clean and sweep the kitchen floor.
5. Iron his own clothes.
6. Polish silver, brass, copper.
7. Carry in wood and lay fires.
8. Vacuum the inside of the car.
9. Wash the car.