Chores For Children

Chores for children. Yes, Spring/Easter recess is coming up, yet they still need to help around the house and perform some of their own daily chores before getting out to play all day.

Giving your kids chores is going to keep them in good habits for when school starts back up. Keep them in the mindset of work before play.

So this week’s challenge is to build a chore list for your kids. What type of chores and how many chores your children do depends on their ages. Heres a simple list of chores that you can choose from depending on age appropriateness.

Make beds: get kids in the habit of doing this first thing in the morning. Do not let them get into the habit of procrastinating! Pick up rooms- let them know that their bedrooms are to be picked up. No clothes on the floor, no toys everywhere, teach them to put things away, and have respect for their belongings.

Vacuum Most kids do not mind this chore. They may not do as good a job as you would do, but that’s ok. You can teach them what you want done, and how you would like it done.

Set the table This is a pretty easy task for kids of most ages. Even the little ones can set the table if you get out the dishes and cups for them.

Clear the table: I think it is important to teach children to bring their plates to the sink when they are done eating. And they can do Mom and Dads too. They can put away the milk, butter, salt and pepper, or whatever else may be on the table.

Clean the windows: Yes little kids love this job. Give them a spray bottle with some water in it and let them squirt away. With older kids you can give them a bottle with vinegar and water and teach them to do the windows/mirrors in the house the proper way.

Take out the garbage: Simple task for most kids. Even the little ones can grab the bathroom baskets and bedroom baskets for you.

Unload the dishwasher: Give the silverware to the little kids (not the knives of course), and let them put them in the proper place. Older kids should be able to unload a dishwasher with no problem.

Pulling weeds, mowing the lawn: Pulling weeds is a simple task for the little ones to keep them occupied while you are in the garden. Older kids can mow the lawn for Dad. It is also a great way for them to make some pocket money if they do it for some neighbors.

Use your imagination: Think of things for your kids to do. Make the chore chart/list and have a family meeting. Be sure to set times you want things done by.

I believe that kids having daily chores and then a few weekly tasks is a great lesson in work ethic. It teaches them responsibility, and gives them skills in the process. So get the kids to work. Let them help out. The sooner all the daily chores are done, the sooner everyone can go out and play! Make sure they learn about priorities...work first, play later!