Get the kids on board with keeping your home clean and tidy. Assigning chores for kids that are age appropriate builds confidence and gives them life skills.
Over the years as the number living in my household grew – so did the mess. More bodies in the home equaled more dirt and clutter.
One person trying to keep the house clean while still performing other required motherly duties started to wear on me.
I was constantly going around the house picking up after my family.
I was doing it wrong! What I needed to be doing was teaching them how to clean up after themselves.
Once I came to the realization that I could not be doing all the household chores alone it was time to get my family on board with helping.
Have A Family Meeting
The first step with getting your kids on board with chores is to have a family meeting.
Discuss everything that goes into keeping your home clean and functioning smoothly. Your kids may not even realize all the jobs you perform to keep the house running smoothly.
Talk about how it’s important for each family member to be helpful in keeping the home clean.
Discuss The Benefits Of Chores for Kids
It provides a cozy and relaxing environment for everyone in the house.
By doing chores they are learning life skills they will need when they have their own homes to take care of.
It can boost their self esteem knowing they are contributing to the family unit.
They will be learning important time management skills.
Working as a team/others is a vital life skill. Doing chores will help teach them this.
What Are Age Appropriate Chores For Kids?
Decide which chores best fit the ages of your children. Only you know which chores your child is capable of learning and doing.
First consider there is a difference between a chore and a life skill. A chore is an ongoing task that will benefit the family unit. A life skill is an activity kids should know how to do when they get out on their own.
Secondly each child is unique, different and mature at different levels. We need to keep this in mind when choosing chores for our kiddos. Only you as the parent know which chores your child is capable of learning and doing.
Now that you have thought about these 2 factors you are ready to assign chores to your kiddos.
I’ve created a list as a guide for chore ideas by age:
Toddler (2-3)
- Make bed with help
- Pick up/put away toys
- Unload dishwasher (plastic cups & plates, silverware)
- Put dirty clothes in hamper
- Put clean clothes away with help
- Clean up spills
- Dust
Preschool (4-5)
- Any previous chores
- Make bed on own
- Help sort laundry by lights & darks
- Help fold laundry (match socks, fold towels & washcloths)
- Put away clean clothes
- Help unload groceries
- Help prepare food
- Sweep using a hand broom
- Load dirty dishes into dishwasher
- Wash dishes (with supervision)
- Wipe down kitchen table
- Set dinner table (with supervision)
- Wipe down counters
- Pull small weeds
- Feed/water pets (with supervision)
- Wipe baseboards
- Wipe door knobs and switch plates
RELATED: Know What To Clean And When With This Cleaning Binder
Early Elementary (6-8)
- Any previous chores
- Vacuum
- Fold laundry
- Help prepare meals (with supervision)
- Empty clean dishes from dishwasher
- Empty indoor trash cans
- Clean microwave
- Clean mirrors
- Clear clutter off counters
- Set dinner table
- Feed / water pets
- Walk pets (with supervision)
Elementary (9-11)
- Any previous chores
- Wash car (with supervision)
- Vacuum out inside of car
- Mow yard (with supervision)
- Make simple meals
- Take garbage & recycling to curb
- Wash and dry laundry
- Wash windows inside & outside (one story windows only)
- Clean bathroom
- Clean bedrooms
- Mop
- Sweep
- Walk pets
- Babysit a younger sibling for short time
- Help with grocery shopping
Middle School (12-14)
- Any previous chores
- Babysit
- Mow yard
- Wash cars
- Pump gas
- Make a meal/meal plan
- Clean any area of the house
- Clean out fridge/freezer
- Supervise/teach younger siblings chores
High School (15-18)
- Any previous chore
- Do chores without prompting
- Do yard work
- Prepare meals (making shopping list and buying items)
- Deep clean household appliances (defrosting freezer, washing machine, dishwasher)
- Clean household electronics (screens, computer, phones, keyboards, remotes)
- Make appointments (doctor, dentist, hair cut)
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Clean garage
RELATED: The Secret To Keeping Your Home Tidy and Organized
Teach Them To Do The Job
When you have assigned chores to your kiddos you will next need to teach them how to properly do the job.
Think of this like an orientation to a new job. You are first presented with your job requirements and then you enter into training for your new job.
It’s the same for kids and chores. They need to do the training so they can learn the job resulting in them being able to do the chores independently.
Younger children in the toddler and preschool ages will need to be supervised when doing a chore. This is to insure they are doing the job safely and so you can give instruction when needed.
Work Together
As a family we work together to keep our home clean and tidy. It doesn’t happen perfectly everyday but most days it gets done!
Finally remember that most kids want to help with chores. When they ask to help clean, say yes!
It may be easier to do the job on your own but remember you are wanting your kids to become independent and helpful members of society. So take the extra time to train them how to do a chore and let them help.
Giving my kids chores has instilled responsibility and given them good self esteem. They are able to clean on their own and contribute to the family unit.
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