ChoreTips

Use chores as incentives for other activities.
Examples:

When your room is clean, you may go to the movie with your friends.
When your chore list is completed for the day, you may have some computer time.
When your homework is done, you may watch TV.
Put away your toys, then you may have a snack.

Life is full of "if/thens." Children need to learn that work comes before play. Teach them the if/then principle of life and you will help them grow up to be responsible adults.

Remember that chores build character.
Parents, grandparents, family and friends all play an important role in a child's life by expecting him or her to help around the house. Chores teach children responsibility in life and also help them feel valued, loved, and a part of something bigger than themselves.

Consider the timing of your children's chores.
If one of your children unloads the clean dishes from the dishwasher in the morning before going to school, another child can load and run it after school. You'll have a clean kitchen in which to start dinner and can empty the dishwasher while dinner is cooking so it's ready to fill up with after dinner dishes! And the cycle continues...

Be a good example to your children by being consistent in doing your household chores.
Lead the way by picking up after yourself and train your child to do the same.

Take a few minutes to train your child the proper technique for doing a chore.
This may mean having them do a chore a second time if it wasn't done right the first time.

Consider allowing your child to take a 5-minute break after doing several of their chores.
They could have a snack or play and then get back to work!

Decide on how you will celebrate if your child completes all his/her chores for the week.
Then follow through to be sure the celebration happens.

Equip your children to do their work.
In order for children to successfully do their homework each day, be sure to stock their study area/desk with necessary supplies such as pencils, paper, erasers, a dictionary, good lighting, and a clean surface area in which to do their work.

Chore chart location is essential to success.
Do your children have to work extra hard to find out what their chores are? Do they have to walk from one room to the next to see the list of tasks you want them complete? Consider posting their chore chart in a central location (like on their bedroom door, or in a central hallway) to help them be efficient."

Chores are a family thing.
Sit down as a family and discuss what's important to each member.
When our family did this, each person shared two things that were important to him/her. I was surprised to find out that having the refrigerator clean and organized was important to one of our children (mainly because they want to be able to fit their lunchbag in easily each day). One of our other children wants the kitchen cupboards to be more organized. Since finding that out, I had him organize a cupboard and he did a great job! Dad was able to express a couple of things that he'd like to see happen and we've since added those things to the chore list. Inviting each person to share his/her ideas made everyone feel a valuable part and helped us to prioritize as a family what's important. It made it a family thing (instead of something that mom puts on everybody).

Try the "Mom's choice" or "Dad's choice" concept.
This is where your child asks you what your choice is for a chore that day. It can add variety to their chore list and be a fun way to relieve pressure points in the household. Some of the choices I make are: put away your basket of laundry, play with your little brother awhile, make brownies, or 5 minute room pickup. Make a list of your own "Mom's choice" chores!

Does your child struggle with completing his chore list? You may need to reduce the number of chores on the list.
Sometimes we expect more than he/she can accomplish in the time allowed. It's important to consider each child and challenge each one (to reach for more than he thinks he can do), but also to be realistic about what he can accomplish. Start by setting him up for success! As he grows in responsibility, you can grow the chore list.

If you have several children, be sure to include some "work together" chores.
This will build character in your kids. Learning how to work together is important, so don't keep them separated just because it avoids conflict. It may take a bit more effort on your part, but your kids are worth the investment.

Put on the pressure.
Have a 30-minute pitch in by every family member in order to get ready to have guests over, or to simply get the house cleaned up so you can enjoy peaceful time together. You'd be amazed at how much you can get done with everyone's help in 30 minutes!

Try the "add a consequence" method.
If your child doesn't finish a chore by a certain time, add a second chore to their list. For example, if I'm ready to make dinner and the dishwasher hasn't been unloaded (one child's chore) and loaded (another child's chore), both of them still have to complete the chore, but they get a second chore added the next day. Yesterday, our son got to vacuum our stairs and our daughter got to clean out the microwave. They did it without complaint because they knew they had slacked. Hopefully, this will motivate them to complete their regular chores in a timely manner today. If not, I still win because I get extra chores done around the house.

What you expect of your children is what they will do.
If you constantly remind them to do their chores, you are training them that they need to be reminded to do them. If you expect them to do their chores without being reminded, they will do them without being reminded.
[Click here to read more on this topic]

If your child completes his chore list for the week, reward him with a special treat or a special activity together. For a list of fun family activity ideas, [click here]

Add a "fun" chore to their list to surprise them and add some variety. Or slip a loving comment into their chore chart. Examples: Give mom a hug and a kiss! Take a break and enjoy a special snack!

Potty Training
Beezie Davis has worked with preschoolers for 20+ years and she is incredibly gifted when it comes to potty training! If you haven't read her pre-potty training article, [click here]

If your child has started potty training and is not taking initiative on his/her own, [click here] for some ideas to consider to help him make progress towards initiating

Night-time training is the next step after your child has successfully mastered the daytime skill. [Click here] to read more.

Spring-time idea
When Spring finally arrives, take advantage of the weather to inspire kids to get their chores done so they can play outside. As a mom, it can be tempting to let my kids play outside right after school because I want them to enjoy the daylight (while it's there). But, I've also found that the sunshine is a motivator for them to get their chores done so they CAN enjoy the sun.

Winter-time chores
Get organized for winter by pulling out those hats, gloves, and winter coats before it actually freezes or snows. Avoid the scramble that first morning you wake up and discover the white snow cover outside! Try organizing a basket for each child to put their winter items in. Another idea is to have a backup basket with extras. Attach gloves to little kids' coats so they don't get lost. Keeping track of these things are good chore list items, even for the smallest child.

An older child should be able to shovel snow or sweep snow off a porch, deck, or sidewalk. For safety purposes, be sure to provide proper training and supervision.

What about scraping those icy car windows in the morning? This can actually be a "fun" chore for a 10 or 12 year old.

Back-to-School Chore Tips

Transitioning from summer fun back to school
Before school starts up again, think about how you can help your child make a smooth transition back into school. What can you do to make that first morning back to school flow smoothly? Make sure clothes and lunches are ready. You can even make a special lunch for them with a note and treat. If your children have been staying up later than usual, start realing in the bedtimes and practice getting up earlier a few days before the big day.

Have your child help with the back-to-school preparations.
He or she can shop with you for school supplies and clothes. Once you have these things, removing packaging and then labeling the items can be fun things for children to do.

With school starting up soon, it's time to revise your chore charts.
They probably need to be revised to include new chores such as make lunches, clothes ready, backpack ready, and maybe a few other things.

Equip your children to do their work.
In order for children to successfully do their homework each day, be sure to stock their study area/desk with necessary supplies such as pencils, paper, erasers, a dictionary, good lighting, and a clean surface area in which to do their work.

Get involved! Help your child with his/her chores for a day.
Remember that transitioning back to school is a change that takes mental and physical effort which is different from that energy spent doing summer activities. Give your children time and help to adjust through this transition.

Summer Chore Tips

Feeding and watering pets is important in the summer. Especially with hot weather, animals need to be hydrated like humans.