Kitchen Chores

20 Sep Kitchen Chores

As soon as children show interest and are able to do a chore, sign them up. Whether you have one child or several, kids need to feel needed and learn to help out. Chores help them to grow in life skills, responsibility, and good work habits. Although you might be able to do the job faster and better, force yourself to delegate. Make sure you allot enough time for a clean up a la kids. Don’t succumb to your kids whining. Call the troops into action and get the job done.

Keys to success:

• establish a routine
• listen to the input of your kids (jobs they want to do, the frequency of chore)
• make sure all able-bodied participants have a part to play, including both parents
• determine how long someone will do a particular chore i.e. daily, weekly or monthly rotation.
• have everyone agree to the schedule
• post your schedule or mark it on your calendar
• refer to the schedule, call out the troops and make the event a positive family experience – good conversation, great music, lots of fun.
• offer thanks, show appreciation
• enjoy more downtime together so that your kids see the benefit of joint effortHere is a sample chore chart we use:
  

  	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.
  Set table
  Clear table
  Wipe table
  Load dishwasher
  Unload dishwasher
  Wash dishes
  Dry dishes
  Sweep floor
  Take out garbage

  Your family is probably not so big, so hold a family meeting and discuss what needs to get done, who could possibly do it and how often would you rotate (daily, weekly, bi-weekly). Have youngest children doing easier chores, while older kids tackle the most demanding ones. Regardless, all the kids have to pitch in and there are far fewer squabbles when they see it is fairly delegated.

  ANOTHER RELATED IDEA:

  In my house, all the food is brought to the table in proper serving dishes. People are called to the meal. We sit down and say our grace before meals. Then we insist that everyone old enough takes a bowl/platter/water jug and serve the others. Even our six-year-old twins enjoy this. Those not serving (Mom gets a break) enjoy being served. No one begins eating until everyone is seated. We find that this small detail promotes a spirit of service, good manners, consideration of others and a more enjoyable meal. Mom and Dad actually can eat a hot meal with the family and enjoy their company.