“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” Denis Waitley
This quote is my husband and mine parenting philosophy in a nutshell. My children have always had chores; well once they could walk. And always more than most kids their ages. It’s easy to get young children started with chores because they are eager to please their parents and they enjoying helping.
Why give children chores:
- Everyone needs to feel useful and needed.
- Teaches responsibility
- Builds self-esteem
- Helps them to become independent
- Helps develop executive function skills
- Teaches them to respect their belongs when they are ones taking care of them
- Allows parents to delegate; we can’t do everything.
Even young kids can help. When my son was about 6, while he was at a friend’s house he helped himself to a snack. The friends mom stopped him. She asked me about it later. I think she was a little put off at first. I told her it was normal practice in our house and they her son helped himself too. The snacks on a particular shelf that were healthy our kids can have anytime. It allows them to be independent and saves me time. I want everyone to feel welcome in my home and why should I need to stop doing what I am doing because someone else is hungry.
My children from age 2 started doing little chores like clearing their plates (non-breakable), sorting laundry, putting toys or whatever they could reach away and planting in the garden. They loved it and it was a wonderful way to spend time with them. Now that they are older, they are rather capable. If I truly ever was out of commission due to illness, no one would strive -they can all cook (we’re not talking mac and cheese here, my 14 year old made fish two night ago for dinner) and the house would be clean and organized.
When starting out be sure to give immediate praise for a job well done and say Thank you. If needed, help if they are having trouble. Some chores will require some teaching be is well worth the time spend for the future gain.
For a chore list for children 2 years old and under click: Chores for Ages 2 and Under – Big Bang Organization. For a chore list for 3-5 click Chores for Ages 3 to 5_- Big Bang Organization. If your children are older, have no fear more chore lists for older kids will be coming in future blogs.