All parents want their children to succeed in life. A big part of lifelong success is learning habits and disciplines early. When your children do chores around the house, they learn to be responsible at a young age. They also learn to understand the importance of contributing to the well-being of the family. If you are looking for chores to add to the family chore chart, there are many from which to choose.
Laundry
Somewhere down the line, your child will need to look his or her best for a job interview or a special occasion. When children help do the laundry, they learn how to take care of clothing so it stays looking great. You can teach children how to fold or hang clothes properly, how to remove stains, and how to treat items that need special care. In addition, you can teach children about the cost of clothing and the family budget.
Caring for the Dog
Many children want to have a pet, but they do not realize the responsibility involved. Young children can handle basic pet care, like making sure the dog has food and water. Older children can help with walking the dog and participate in its training. When buying a dog, keeping a regular schedule is important for his or her well-being, as is consistency in discipline. Caring for a dog teaches children that you do not get a day off from caring for a living creature.
Making the Bed
Some people say that starting the day by making your bed is one of the most important habits you can learn for a lifetime of success. When a child makes his or her bed the first thing in the morning, the day begins with a small achievement. The child starts with the attitude that things are going to get done, inspiring him or her to stop putting off projects. In addition, making the bed can inspire a child to want other parts of the room to be neat and organized.
Yard Work
If you have a backyard, your children probably love playing in it. Doing yard work reminds children that outdoor spaces need care. Outdoor toys need to be put away to protect them from bad weather. Learning how to properly care for the plants in a garden can help children understand the importance of caring for the earth. You can show them all the life that is happening in their backyard ecosystem. You might talk about planting a butterfly garden and the importance of flowers and bees. Yard work is also an opportunity to talk about the ways in which doing household chores is a form of exercise.
Buying Groceries
Having children help with the shopping is a great opportunity to teach planning and budgeting skills. Before the shopping trip, you can have them help make a list of things you need. They can discuss what sorts of food should be around the house and how long it needs to last. You can also use the trip to the grocery store to talk about making healthy choices. In addition, you can point out the strategies that companies use to encourage shoppers to buy an item such as flashy packages and product placement.
Preparing a Meal
When the food is home, children can also help prepare the meal. The ability to cook their own food will have great benefits in the future. It will allow the children to make healthier recipes and reduce their cost of living. Many young people spend a good portion of their budget on dining out. During food preparation, you can also teach some lessons about food safety. Children need to know what needs to be refrigerated and how to determine whether food is properly cooked.
Washing the Car
A chore with hoses and bubbles can be a lot of fun. At the same time, washing the car can be a valuable lesson. Most children have little idea what it costs to maintain the family car. They just take for granted that this vehicle will always be there to take them to their classes and events. As you wash the car, you can talk about all the things that must be done to keep it running. With older children, the time washing the car might be an opportunity to talk about safety. You can teach your older child how to change a flat tire and what to do in case he or she has an accident.
If your child is not used to doing chores or is just starting out, you do not need to do all of these in a short time. You may want to focus on a single chore, like meal preparation, for a week or two. The critical thing is that your child is learning the value of work and the importance of doing his or her share. These are values that will equip your children for a lifetime of success.
When your children are learning the value of chores, a reward will go a long way. Check out the features of our app that can help your children learn the value of money through rewards for chores!