How do you get your kids to help out?

Our parents panelists have some creative solutions to this problem. Read the story, and share your ideas. Do your kids help out around the house? How do you motivate them to do it?

Categories: General
Sarah Diodato

3 Responses

  1. Adesta says:

    I have two children. The oldest is 6 and the other is 2 1/2. My oldest is now using a chore chart. She has 3 “chores”. Clean her room, do homework, and be respecful. One of those will go to the way-side now that school is out, but the other two will stand. Her reward? Every time she completes one of her chores (in case of the being respectful, every day that she is respectful the entire day) she receives a sticker on the chart. Once it is filled, her father and I decide what treat she will receive. Chore chart has been in use for nearly two months now and she hasn’t received one reward yet. She knows that she will not get anything until it is filled, and she respects that and does not ask for the rewards before.

  2. Von says:

    Our two sons are 8 and 5. I have to admit that, up until very recently, my husband and I would pick up after them when they made a mess in our living room with their toys, clothes, snacks, etc. One day I decided that every night at 8 would be cleanup time, and I told the boys that we would all be working together to pick up the living room. I made a playlist of all the of the high-energy, upbeat songs they really like. Then, when the time came, I turn on the music, turned up the volume and they LOVED it! They went to town picking things up and putting them away, and the whole time they were singing and playing air-guitar and dancing. In no time at all, our living room was in company-ready condition! We don’t actually do this EVERY night (we are spending more and more time outdoors lately), and I am always adding songs to the playlist to keep their interest. I just wish I had done this a long time ago, because not only are they helping out, but they also look forward to it and enjoy it!!

  3. Benita says:

    I like the music idea (playing music while cleaning). I have 3 kids, ages 12, 15 and 18. If you start making them do chores early, they will always just believe that’s normal and part of life. When kids complain about picking up a piece of paper on the floor, it’s time to give them more chores! Every child I believe, should be able to clean up their room, but remember, if it’s a huge disaster, even you would be overwhelmed by it. You can’t expect to just tell a child ‘go clean your room’ when they’re 10 and under. They need help. Even if you just sit in there and tell them what to do, it’s a huge help. Or make a list and tell them what needs to be done. Keep the list taped to the door to tell them what needs to be done every night and once a week.
    Have you ever watched Little House on the Prairie? Think of all the chores those little girls have had…cleaning out the barn, feeding the animals, dishes, etc. etc. do you think they complain about picking up a piece of paper (or whatever you tell your kids to do). I’m speaking from experience, this occured to me one day that my kids could DO a LOT more than they were doing. Also, when I had a 15 yr old over to clean my house when my kids were young, then years later, when my 15 yr old acted like I was giving her way too much work, I remembered how much and how well the other teen could do. I believe we generally have very low expectations of our own kids and what they can do! I have seen it in my friends as well. Kids can do a LOT more than you think they can do! You know if you lived on a farm, your kids would have to do a lot and they just expect that the animals have to be fed and cleaned, I doubt they complained much. They get used to it! Our pastor said once, he didn’t know the concept of ‘sleeping in’ until he went away to seminary! He lived on a farm so they never slept in!! Our kids are spoiled I think! Most kids have way too many toys, so no wonder they’re all over the floor and very difficult to keep neat. It helps if you get rid of all the toys they don’t play with. It’s a good idea to rotate them anyway, so you don’t have to get rid of them, but put them in the basement/garage or attic, then pull them out again 6 mo. later. They will seem like new toys!! Do it at night or when they’re away, and put the present toys in their room, in the attic/basement. So, switch them all and it’ll seem like Xmas! Keep doing that every 6 mo. or so. That way the toys will be easier to keep track of and to keep neat. Don’t let your child go to bed with a messy floor. So, that means you have to start the bedtime routine earlier. If your kids are small and home all day, have a clean up time before lunch. Start a rule of only one TOY out at a time per child. Make them clean up the toy/mess they were playing with last before they get the new one out.
    As for other chores….we have each child do the dishes for one week straight, that way there is no question/argument over who is to do the dishes that night. The other child can be responsible for keeping the bathroom clean all week. Keep a list taped to the inside of the medicine cabinet of what needs to be done daily and once a week. Then follow up and make sure it’s done before bed. Have a quick routine of checking it in the evening when their teeth are being brushed. If the child forgets, you can have them do it then or give them an EXTRA chore the next day or for the coming weekend, if they’re too busy. Good luck!