Teaching Kids Chores: 6 Tips to Get Your Child to do Chores

We all know that house chores or chores of any kind  can be a bore for kids! Teaching kids about chores, or even getting them to do simple ones, can be challenging for parents. It takes a lot of effort, may lead to disagreements, and it may even involve bribery! If we don’t get them moving in order to get a couple of things done, we get agitated, which can lead to frustrating and unnecessary arguments.

The goal here is to help children understand why they have to do chores, and how it will benefit them as they get older. Here are seven tips for how you can get your child to do chores in your home.

Give kids a clear idea about the purpose of chores

When we ask our kids to do something, the first thing they often ask is “Why?” – which is why it’s so important for children to understand what we are asking them to do and also why. For example, you may ask your kids to make their beds and tidy up their rooms. Kids may want to know what they are getting in exchange, or how it’s going to benefit them. Explain how tidying up their rooms or making their beds will make the place a more pleasant area in which to hangout and play during the day. Giving them a sense of cause and effect will help kids be more accepting of your expectations, and positive the next time they are asked to do chores.

Create a fun schedule and to-do list for your kids

This technique is very effective because it is visual. Kids can see what they are supposed to do when they are supposed to do it. What makes it even more fun for them is the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing each chore. You can print or cut out something like their favorite cartoon character to serve as an item checker to use whenever they have to check off a task. Make a list of daily chores that need to be completed during school days, and a separate one for weekends.

Do away with using chores as a form of punishment

Chores are already a drag in kids’ minds. This is made even worse if you use chores as a punishment in your home. This is not productive. Chores will be more fun and enjoyable when they are presented as something that will benefit them (and others). Therefore, never use chores as a form of punishment for misbehavior, or as a consequence if they failed to study for their quiz or if they didn’t finish their dinner.

Go big when it comes to a reward system

One huge motivation, especially for school-aged kids, is a reward system. They get excited and tend to be more inclined to get tasks done when they know they will be rewarded. However, rewards do not always have to be in the form of material things. A reward can be as simple as a treat from their favorite ice cream shop or an extended 30 minutes of play time.

Play the “Big Kid” card

A little change in a kid’s chores list from making their beds, to emptying the dishwasher, may make them wonder “Why?” again. That’s when you pull out the “Big Kid” card. In a way, they will feel like a grown-up by doing grown-up things. Establishing a routine can also be a great way to instill a sense of responsibility and accountability. For instance, if children forget or miss a chore like setting the dinner table, family dinner time will start a little late, and everybody will be hungry. They will begin to understand why these so-called chores are actually essential in  their day-to-day life.

Learning about chores is an important part of growing up. It helps with instilling a sense of responsibility and accountability in children from a young age. Completing chores also provides a form of training as kids get older and learn the skills needed in order to take care of themselves in the long run and become more independent.

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