Chores aren’t just about getting help around the house. These to-do’s help your children learn responsibilities. But making chores fun is the plight of all parents. Kids hate doing chores, whether it is cleaning their rooms, unloading the dishwasher or folding clothes. And let’s face it. Most of the time, we don’t enjoy those chores either. So how do you make them fun for your kiddos (or grand-kiddos)? Well, a little motivation can go a long way.
While a reward system might work for a short period of time, kids can lose focus on that type of motivation and, in turn, stop doing their chores. So how can you help your kids enjoy their chores? We have a few tips for you.
Let Your Kids Choose the Chore
While we can all do it, bossiness isn’t the best way to help your children enjoy their chores. In letting your child choose which chore he or she performs, you are giving the illusion of control. The child will enjoy performing the chore because they had control over the decision process.
Make It Playtime
For the kiddos who are younger, teach them to associate chores with positive thoughts. Have a singing competition while cleaning different rooms or while washing dishes. Children will begin to associate chore time with playtime, which means they will enjoy performing chores a little more.
Provide Greater Purpose
Kids want to feel important, just like us. Provide praise for even the smallest things, like feeding the cat or putting laundry away. “You did a great job! We make a great team!” Just a few small words can help your children look forward to the next time they do chores because you made them feel important and a part of a team.
Assign More Difficult Chores
Teachers face this issue often with their students. When something is too easy or simple, kids get bored and don’t want to finish the project. Providing tasks that are more challenging can help your children enjoy the chores. Instead of having your kids just put away their toys, have them mops the floors, rake the yard or wash the car. The task is more challenging and will require more brain and brawn power from them.
Create a Written Routine
It’s been proven that when we write something down, we are more likely to complete that task. The same goes for your kids. Make a chart with each chore and who is responsible for that chore. Allow your kids the responsibility of completing the chore and checking off their box on the written chart. You can even include a reward system for the person who completes their chores the quickest or for the person who does the most chores during the week. Just be sure the rewards are worth it.
Do you have creative ways to get your kids or grandkids to do chores? Share them with us in the comments! We look forward to hearing your tips and tricks.
Don’t forget about your chores! Summer is the perfect time to soft wash your home. Get $25 off your deck cleaning by clicking the button below!
