Children and Chores

THE VAULE OF CHILDREN DOING CHORES:

Most experts agree that chores are good for children. Chores for children are essential. Here's why: in addition to our needs for physical and emotional safety, love and affection, and healthy amounts of control, also we all need to be needed.

Elizabeth Pantley, author of eight parenting books, identifies still more benefits to be derived from chores for children:

Chores are one of the best ways to build a feeling of competence.
Chores help children understand what needs to be done to run a household.
Chores establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work.
Chores teach real-world skills and valuable lessons about life, easing the transition into adulthood.

A REAL CASE STUDY:

According to Roger W. McIntire, PhD, author of "Raising Good Kids in Tough Times," a child has to have some responsibilities. Then by the time they go off to college, you don't have to have a three-hour lecture on the steps of the dormitory."

A professor of psychology at the University of Maryland for 32 years, McIntire witnessed firsthand how a lack of responsibility could influence college students' behavior. As associate dean, one of his jobs was to interview students who had decided to drop out. It turned out that those who were living at home and had all college expenses paid by their parents were one of the highest-risk groups. McIntire theorized that many of these kids felt they had nothing to lose by dropping out. For them, the maxim "nothing ventured, nothing gained" apparently morphed into "nothing invested, nothing lost."

MISTAKES PARENTS MAKE REGARDING CHILDREN’S CHORES

PARENTS MISTAKES

Insisting on perfection.
Waiting until a chore is completed to show appreciation.
Assigning Chores that are not “age appropiate.
Being non-specific with instructions. "'Clean your room" is vague and can be interpreted in any number of ways

GETTING COOPERATION WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES

Explaining to children that everyone in the family has a responsibility to pitch in.
Create a chores chart with three columns -- one for the list of chores, one for deadlines, and one where you can each make a check when the chore is completed.
Provide a wide berth with deadlines
Offer periodic praise

FINALLY, JUST FOR PARENTS

The important thing is to understand that requiring "chores" is actually a means of teaching children about responsibility, work ethic, lines of authority and family values.
Don't grow weary in this parental assignment. The pay off is great for both the parent and the child.