With children back at school and parents at work, finding the balance between work and household chores can make the difference between a happy and strained family. The answer? Getting the whole family involved – even the kids. By delegating tasks, you will feel less stressed and have more time to spend with the family. Plus, giving your child a few weekly chores will teach them about hard work and responsibility – a valuable lesson in life!
Involve the whole family
Approach chores as a family team, and you may be pleased to find that your little ones want to get involved! Include your child in conversations about setting goals, teamwork, and what it means to be a part of a family- even little ones enjoy having a say.
Focus on interests
If your child shows interest in the kitchen, enlist their help with making supper or laying the table. Start with basic, simple tasks, like folding the napkins in half or adding ingredients to a big bowl of salad. By incorporating their interests, you can make helping fun.
Talk it through
Take baby steps when first introducing chores to younger children. Start by teaching a specific task step-by-step. Be careful not to overwhelm young children with too much information.
Choose age-appropriate tasks
Take your child’s age into consideration when enlisting help with household chores. It is not only important to recognize which chores are realistic in terms of their abilities, it is also important not to ask your child to take on too much which can lead to frustration. Avoid redoing the task. Accept that the child has done it, so they develop a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
Offer specific feedback and appreciation
Acknowledging a job well done will give your child the needed encouragement and a sense of satisfaction. By recognizing the contribution to the family, you are teaching your child the value of hard work and responsibility. In the end, he or she will feel helpful and important and your load will feel lighter!
Looking for specific tasks to delegate? Our MOLLY MAID cleaning experts have a few that are kid-friendly:
- Setting or clearing the table for meals
- Putting things back where they belong
- Loading & unloading the dishwasher
- Emptying the garbage
- Dusting
- Putting clean laundry away
- Making their beds
- Feeding and/or walking the family pets
