Chore wars – is it really worth the battle?

As a child (around the age of 11), I was responsible for dusting and vacuuming the house, setting the table each night and unloading the dishwasher.  My brother took the bins out, raked the leaves, mowed the lawn and helped to stack the dishwasher.

We both folded our own laundry and put it away, helped mum bring the shopping in, kept our rooms clean and did random chores when asked, like clean the windows or wash the car.

Perhaps we had more time back then – admittedly it was before the invention of smart phones and gaming devices – but it was a normal part of life that we accepted and, if my memory serves me correctly, didn’t complain about.

So why now, when I ask my kids to help out, am I confronted with groans and rolling eyes?

Having kids do chores around the house is a great way to build important life skills and encourage personal development. It teaches them about responsibility and the idea that being part of a family means pitching in. When boys help out, they should feel proud knowing their efforts make a difference.

Chores also prepare them for the future. Simple tasks like making their bed or folding the washing teach independence and time management—skills they’ll need as they grow older. Plus, completing tasks gives them a sense of accomplishment and boosts their confidence.

Great chores for kids:

Make their bed – A simple way to start the day

Set the table – Help to get things ready for lunch or dinner

Clear the table – Stack the dishwasher

Dust – Easy with a light feather duster

Water plants – A fun way to help care for living things

Feed pets – A simple way to experience responsibility while caring for animals

Sort washing – Sort clothes by colours or matching socks

Take out the rubbish – A potentially smelly, but necessary job

Sweep / vacuum the floor – Use a small broom or vacuum

Tidy up toys – Encourage your kids to put toys back where they belong

When they see the results of their hard work, kids understand that effort pays off.  Starting chores early encourages good habits and a sense of contribution that stays with them as they grow.

Why not start a chore list for the fridge? Especially if your kids are young. Ticking off a list is a great feeling when you’re little and can add to their sense of accomplishment. Make sure it’s a family affair and that chores are shared equally between the kids and are appropriate for their ages.

If you want to reward them for completing their chores at the end of each week or month you can – but ideally, it’s important for the kids to understand that being part of a family means contributing and helping out because they are part of a family.

 

Brought to you by Brighton Grammar School

Annabel McLean is a mother of two and works at Brighton Grammar, an all-boys school in Melbourne. This article is about Chores, Parenting