As a parent, it can sometimes feel as though you are the kids’ personal maid or butler. Common spaces seem to get messy quicker than you can keep up, and it can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. As frustrating and familiar as this scenario is, there is hope. Encouraging your children to get involved in household chores just requires a bit of patience and some creative strategies.
What Discourages Children From Helping
Children are often turned off by the idea of accepting more responsibility around the house. There are a variety of explanations for this, mostly stemming from the way kids perceive chores. Many children don’t understand the purpose of chores and why they’re important for a well-balanced house, which could be due to their lack of maturity and unclear expectations. It takes time to establish expectations for children — but it tends to take longer if parents are too busy to explain to their children the rationale behind chores. Continue reading