How to get your children to do some chores!

Does this sound familiar? ''I'll do it later!'' or ''My friends don't have to. Why do I?''

Research shows "Children given household chores at an early age have higher self-esteem, are more responsible and have more self-reliant." HOORAY!

However, as us parents know only too well, motivating or persuading a child to do a simple household chore can be a chore in itself, and often a 'nagging' scenario develops.

So instead of the children using some clever delaying tactics, let's find some ways to make daily chores entertaining and fun.

List of chores for children:

This list of example chores is meant as a guide only and is age dependable. From the age of 2 years most children will be able to participate in doing simple chores around the home. Some chores will require adult supervision and bear in mind, tasks that are beyond the child's grasp will make chore time even more of a chore for the adult when they have to 'make corrections'! So start by selecting easy, manageable chores, and give plenty of praise when completed - but only if completed well!

Personal chores

• Assist in making their bed - leading to making it themselves daily.
• Putting toys away - maintaining a tidy bedrrom or playroom.
• Choosing what to wear and getting dressed with the minimum of supervision.
• Washing their hands.
• Brushing their teeth.
• Writing thank you notes.

Family chores

• Helping to lay the table at mealtimes, or clearing up afterwards.
• Filling pet bowls with food and water.
• Dusting and vacuuming.
• Putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
• Helping a parent to prepare a meal.
• Clean the table after meals.

SEVEN WAYS TO GET CHILDREN TO DO CHORES

• Turn chores into a fun time with music and singing! Choose one child to be the DJ and create a playlist of songs.
• Consider a reward system such as sticker chart or a variation of this, such as filling a jar with cotton wool balls. Each completed chore earns a cotton wool ball.(Take CARE with this idea - as some kind of reward can quickly become the 'expectation'.)
• If the children are bored doing a chore, introduce another element and make it more challenging.
• Let your children help plan weekly meals. This turns an unexciting chore into a fun activity and it also helps the child learn about planning and structuring meals.
• Encouragement and praise is important ''Thank you for helping out.'' But again, exercise caution in 'over-praising'  - we at Ash Tutors don't subscribe to the 'certificate for everyone regardless' method!
• As a family, once a week all do your chores together. For example set aside Saturday morning 9.00 to 10.00.
• Don't ask your children to do more chores than they can manage, as they may already have homework and social activities planned (lucky them!).

I don't know about you, but even the word 'chore' is becoming a chore for me!