Doing chores is part of most children's experience.
Chores! You can almost hear the cry of indignant outrage when you tell your child to do her chores. As you approach the idea of chores, remember that despite all evidence to the contrary, chores build character. Set an example of what that character should look like. Be consistent by keeping to the list and to the rewards and to the discipline. Pick up after yourself. Keep in mind that it's normal for most children to recoil from chores. While you may never see your little ones lined up and hopping eagerly to do their assigned work and build their characters, you can try to simplify the process by creating a chores list. Does this Spark an idea?
Placement
Hang a chore list on your refrigerator for maximum views.
Your child likely is savvy enough to tell you that he didn't see the list of chores. Be prepared. You might post the list in a central location. Hang your chores list on the refrigerator--a place your child cannot miss. The refrigerator makes a suitable place because that may be where you hang your child's drawings and accomplishments, such as papers and tests with good grades. Place the list within the context of work and reward to send a subtle message.
Types
An eight- or nine-year-old can rake leaves with success.
Children should be able to perform the chores you want them to do. Make your chore list age-appropriate. HappyHomesDoc.com gives examples of chores children of different ages are capable of successfully performing. Chores for a child between four and five years old might include feeding the dog, making the bed and choosing her own clothes. If your child is eight to nine years old, you can reasonably expect him to wash plastic dishes, walk the dog and rake leaves. Children over 10 years old can make their own breakfast and baby-sit.
The List
Calendar pages make effective chore list templates.
A chore list should be easy to read and visually attractive. If you have more than one child, use different colors for each child. Give your child a matching crayon to mark off that she finished each chore. You can make a list with a space for each day a chore must be done. You might choose to hang a weekly or monthly calendar page with each day's chores listed in the day's square. Teach your child read the list. Help him to mark off accomplishments and then tell him he is ready to check chores off the list by himself.
Tags: your child, chore list, chores list, each chore, most children
