It happens every time, or nearly. The pause before the whine, “Do I have to?!” or some other kid version of protest when it’s time to do chores. But, getting kids to get in on the running of the home, show them how important their seemingly menial tasks are gives them pride and prepares them for the work world. Chores are a great way to get kids some basic job skills.
Once you get kids to start helping around the house, you might start giving them an allowance (there are pros and cons parents talked about here). This is a great time to teach them how to save. Learning about money, at any age, can set them up for a more secure future. Teach them how to invest their hard-earned cash at an early age.
The Chores Struggle is Real, For Kids
Kids are seasoned procrastinators with a roster of excuses, disparaging looks and shrugs. It drives me crazy. The smooth hum of our home is disrupted with each eye roll and slump of the shoulders.
But, I get it. It’s not actually their fault. Young kids have no idea how much work goes into the basics of maintaining daily life. Teens are more wrapped up in their growth. Kids aren’t born with the desire to clean and tidy up, at least most. It’s our job as parent to help them develop good habits, like flushing for goodness sake!
So with every eye roll and flip of the hands in protest, I realize they are just doing what comes natural and we need to work on how we approach the chores and expectations of what it takes to get the job done with a good attitude.
Benefits of Chores for kids
It can feel overwhelming to have to constantly push. It feels like maybe we are asking too much. But every parenting book, pamphlet and magazine article seems to note that kids are capable at a fairly young age to help out around the house. In fact, they want to. Harness that willingness to help out and make it fun, even when it’s not.
They will also adapt to your behavior. If you approach cleaning up as just a regular part of your daily routine, and enjoy the clean surfaces when you’re done, the kids will more than likely follow suit. Start the chores for kids early and try to be consistent in cleaning up. The habits they learn young will more than likely stick. However, it’s never too late. Many teens begin to take better care of their rooms and living areas when they realize what their friends may think of their cluttered room. If they get a job and begin to buy their own things, that can also give them an appreciation of keeping things picked up and taken care of.
How to Get Kids to Do Chores
There’s always something, right? While your kids may never grow to love chores, you can try a few tricks to keep them helping out without all the harumphing.
Distractions – if kids are taking forever to finish the task, remove whatever is distracting them and talk to them about what they want to do when they are done with the chore. Keep them focused on the goal of doing a good job once and finishing in good time.
Time limit – My kids will clean all day, or rather they will putter and pretend to be doing the task at hand and yet it never seems to get done. I set a reasonable time limit, like 15 minutes to clean the bathroom counter and mirror. If it takes longer, they are cutting into their time. I try to show that it’s up to them, not me, how much time they want to spend not doing something they like. If they get it done under 15 minutes, they get extra time.
Allowance – This has been such a debate! Whether or not you give an allowance, leveraging money when kids don’t want to do something can work. I had a hard time with my tweens at one point and used money as a way to show them what they were losing by not getting the job done. I put up 10 $1 bills and removed one every time they didn’t complete a task in a reasonable set time. That got them off the floor and putting away clothing faster than my nagging. They did lose $3 and $4 before it really set in, though!
Structure – Chores can be done at a certain time, on a certain day or before play. No electronics, friends over or entertainment before chores are complete. This is a given and no nagging required. If they get on the tablet or run out the door to play without chores being done, there is a consequence. For instance they lose electronics for an hour, etc.
Chores for Kids Brokendown by Age
2 -3 Years Old
Make bed
Put clothes in hamper or take to laundry room
Put clothes away
Fold clothes (if you aren’t particular)
Dust furniture
Pick up toys
Feed pets
Clear their plate and glass at the table
4-5 Years Old
Set the table
Clear the table
Help cook and prepare dinner
Carry groceries
Put groceries away
Sort laundry
Water plants
Strip the sheets from the bed
Pull weeds
Fold towels
6-9 Years Old
Vacuum
Fold laundry
Put laundry away
Sweep the floors
Clean the countertops
Empty the dishwasher
Sweep the porch or rake leaves
Help wash and cut produce and gather ingredients for meals
10-15 Years Old
Do the laundry
Mow the lawn or clear the landscape of debris
Take out the trash
Cook a meal
Wash the dishes
Load the dishwasher
Mop the floors
