Most people say that children have their homes as their first school, which is technically a fact since this is a place wherein they would learn how to walk and even talk. The parents are their children’s first teachers, whatever it is that the adults teach the kids, they would learn it. They would adapt and enhance their abilities to listen as well as apply it. Which is why most parents believe that it is always ideal to teach the kids to be responsible enough in their own little ways. One of the best ways to teach your children about responsibility is when doing household chores.
Some parents find it incredibly difficult to make these children do their respective chores, but it will only be difficult if the child is not used to doing it.
Start Early
It is a fact that it is impossible to teach old dogs new tricks, which is why it is ideal to teach your children to do appropriate chores at such a young age. One of the very first chores starts from children at the age of two to three, this toddler stage is the best time to teach them how to put their toys back to where it should be after they play with it. Of course, they must see you do it and you must let them try to do it most of the time. Asking them to help you with it is also a nice way to make them learn.
Doing it by yourself at all times while they see you would make them think that it is what it should be, that parents must pick up all the mess they made and that’s not the kind of mindset that you would want them to have. Some parents find it difficult to have their children do household chores, so it is always ideal to start them at an early age.
Make Them Understand Why They’re Doing It
Another reason why it could be difficult to make them do it is probably that they don’t exactly understand why they have to do it. Some adults would use the “because I said so” phrase and that would just make them feel even more confused. It is wise to make your children understand why they need to learn how to do these chores. Such as letting them know that it is important so that when they grow older they would know what they should and should do when it comes to the household.
Being unaware of what to do could make them feel isolated, such simply taking the trash out of washing the dishes. These things must be learned at home, and knowing that they are capable of doing it would make them feel confident about themselves. It is also a way for parents to make their children feel trusted when it comes to doing small things. The responsible you are putting them as a parent must be something you can explain instead of just making it seem like they are the household help.
Let Them Have A Choice Sometimes
When you kids get a little older and are in school, it could be even more difficult for them to do chores since they would want to just relax before doing homework and have fun and play afterward. Then again, it is also the time when they know what they want and know what they can and can’t do. As a parent, it is your duty to support them as well as guide them to anything.
It would be a great opportunity for you to let them make their own choices, and that includes picking what kind of chores they want to do in certain days. However, it is important for you to make them understand that they can’t just pick the quick and easy ones, so try to do this just once or twice a week. This would make them feel like trusting them enough to make their own choices, and it is also a great opportunity for you to introduce them to new chores.
These are just some of the things you could do in order for it to be easier not just for you as a parent, but also for your children to do chores. This is something that could actually make your children not hate it, as long as there is perfect balance and that they are well aware why they are doing it.