It might seem no kids help at home anymore but there are ways you can raise your kids to be willing to help at home.
Here are some tips.
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1. Start Young
Kids are way more capable than most adult thinks.
Previous generations and other cultures even now, would have kids come along and do whatever the parent was doing. It is part of learning and developing.
Kids are curious and want to learn, they want to do what you are doing and you should let them do it in a safe way.
Doing whatever it is you are doing might take longer as you try to teach them.
Chores won’t be perfectly done, obviously but as they start doing things young, it will be normal for them to do more as they get older.
In the long run, you will have created great memories and taught them life skills.
You can’t expect a teenager to help around the home if you haven’t involved them as a child.
Kids learn a lot and enjoy spending time with you.
By teaching them young, you free up more of your time later.
2. If Your Kid can use an iPad, They can use the Washing Machine!
As I said, kids are more capable than you think. How many children easily navigate technology from a young age?
If they can do that they can do the washing, load and put on the dishwasher, water plants etc.
Teach them to do it, assist and answer questions when needed, correct and guide them and they can do almost anything.
Select age-appropriate chores and you will be amazed at how much less you have to do and how much they can do.
Most importantly, take the time to teach them patiently and correctly.
You can’t just show them once quickly and expect them to get it.
They need help, you need to go slow, show them step-by-step and help them understand it so they can do it properly.
Doing chores around the home is part of being a family.
Everyone who lives there should contribute to helping keep it clean and organised.
3. Chores = Rewards
Some people offer pocket money tied to chores or they use other rewards such as screen time to get kids to do things.
Whether you choose to offer a reward to get them to help or teach them doing chores is part of life is up to you.
Some common rewards include sticker charts or stamps when they are quite little.
Money, screen time, picking a movie, art supplies or other treats as they get older.
Attaching rewards to chores may make they expect it all the time and for other areas of life though so be smart about how you do it.
4. Praise
Offer praise when they do well and outline exactly what they did well.
Instead of “Good job cleaning the bathroom” say something such as “Thanks for cleaning the bathroom. You did great clearing the mould out of the corner there/I love how clean you made the vanity, especially around the taps/the toilet is so clean! You did so well.”
By including a specific thing they did, it personalises the praise and makes them more likely to do that same thing next time as well as encouraging them to do more.
Too often parents spend the time criticising how it was done and not praising what was done well.
Your kids will not do the job exactly how you do it. Do you want it done or not?
Back off a little and let them do it their own way.
If something truly needs correcting, be gentle about it, show them how and tell them why without being condescending, critical, rushed, aggressive or “Ugh, I’ll just do it myself”.
Approach them with love and praise them on what they did well first.
Then offer a nice suggestion in a way to make it easier, cleaner or whatever it is you think needs to be done differently.
Don’t take over doing it, don’t get angry or anything like that.
Be patient, and loving and offer advice in the way you would want someone to teach you.
No one responds well to aggressive criticism.
Kids aren’t robots and they aren’t adults. Don’t expect them to be perfect.
They’re learning, they need love, support and guidance to do these things.
No one learns or remembers anything when they are yelled at constantly or belittled and criticised.
5. Lead By Example
Let your kids see you doing what you want them to do.
Talk to them about it, show them how to do it and lead by example.
When we actively live what we preach, kids are more likely to follow.
Ever heard the saying “Actions speak louder than words?”
It goes for everything in life.
Your kids are watching what you do whether you realise it or not.
Get a routine, clean, cook, meal plan and get the kids involved in all of it.
Your kids will learn what they see you do so be sure to do what you want them to do.
How do you get your kids to help at home?
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