By Guest Blogger Brandi Payne of Neat Home Solutions
Keeping the house clean takes teamwork and your child is part of the team. Here some tips for getting your child to help out around the house
1. Be Realistic
Assign them tasks based on their ability level and attention span. The amount of time and concentration a task requires should be roughly equivalent to the child’s age. (6 year old = task length of 6 minutes or less.)
2. Be Clear
Give specific instructions and demonstrate each step so your child knows exactly what’s expected. The key to being satisfied with your child’s work is to practice the job side-by-side with them before you expect them to do it on their own. Compliment them when the job is done well.
3. Be There
Make sure your child knows you are always there if they need help or have questions, and be prepared to jump in anytime you see a disaster in the making. By offering praise and turning the job over to them, you’re proving with your words and actions that you trust them and have confidence in them and you’re building up their self-esteem.
4. Be Lenient
Don’t expect absolute perfection and don’t redo the work they’ve just done. It’s my opinion that if you must have a task done your way then you should do it yourself. Let your child master one new skill at a time before adding more chores and don’t overload them with responsibility before they’re ready to handle it.
5. Be Observant
Some children will complain endlessly about chores or honestly forget to do them once in a while. Before you accuse your kid of being lazy, make sure you’ve given clear instructions and practiced the job with them. If it’s been weeks since they last performed the task, they may have forgotten the steps so make time to show them again. If you’re seeing laziness as opposed to inability then you may need to have a talk and impose consequences for inaction. The suggestions for age appropriate chores below are just a sample of what worked well for us.
Never allow younger children access to household cleaners, bleach, heated appliances or outdoor equipment. Have a serious talk with older children about proper usage, hazards, and emergency situations and never allow them to work unsupervised.
Age Appropriate Chores for Kids
3-4 years
Put clothes in a hamper
Pick up toys and stuffed animals
Bring items to mom/dad as requested
5-6 years
Make their beds on their own daily
Pick their clothes and get dressed
Pick up their toys around the house and put them away
Feed pets, supervised
7-8 years
Set the table with safe, non-breakable dishes
Dust what they can reach
Water plants, supervised
9-10 years
Sweep the kitchen floor
Empty trash cans around the house and take out lightweight bags
Clear the table after a meal
Fold and put away laundry
Take out the trash
11-12 years
Vacuum rugs and carpeted areas
Sweep the carport/garage and outdoor walkways
Mop floors
Empty and re-load the dishwasher and put away things they can reach
13 years and up
Iron clothing
Do basic laundry using the washing machine and dryer
Clean the bathrooms
Wash the car
Cut grass and use a weed eater
Brandi Payne, Owner & Organizer
Neat Home Solutions, LLC
www.NeatHomeSolutions.com
Photo Source: graphicleftovers.com
