Kids and household chores

In contrast, schoolwork is the only real responsibility given to the modern child as house helps or maids, as they are preferably called, have been made to do everything in the house leaving the kids to do nothing instead they are allowed to boss the maid around the house.

Many parents especially mothers think that sparing the child from any household chores is a way of showing love to the child but the good old adage warns ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. There are many advantages in giving kids chores to do around the house. While it can be easier to do the chores yourself, the advantage is, engaging the child in everyday tasks is important for your child’s development.

Children should be given chores to help them develop a caring attitude towards life generally. The chores you give your child can go a long way in teaching your child a valuable lesson that will last him/her a life time and beyond. Some parents fail to realize that giving kids chores can help build and boost their morale and self esteem. Getting a chore done by a child and doing it well can give the child a major sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, giving kids work to do at home can emphasize the value of keeping things clean and organized and make them take the initiative of helping around the house even before they are called upon to do anything. Once you get your child into the habit of carrying out household chores, it becomes part of their lives that will be difficult to do away with.

Many times we hear some mothers ask why their kids should do chores when the maids are there to do everything and they insist that is why the maids are hired, ‘to do the work in the house’ so that the children can have time for their studies and other things. Now, the question is are these so called maids not also humans and do they not also deserve the right to do other things asides working and cleaning the house from dusk till dawn? Well the repercaution for not allowing children to do chores around the house rendering them helpless and unable to care for themselves when they become adults. Parents should not fail to realize that chores help build the child’s confidence, teaches responsibility and also respect for others when they do things for them.

Another big argument is if the young ones should be rewarded for the household chores, do you do so in monetary form? Well on this argument there are two schools of thought. Some parents provide their kids with allowance or monetary rewards after carrying out household chores while other parents feel giving an allowance only corodes the idea that chores are something that help build their self confidence and it is their contribution as members of the family.

Some parents however argue that offering kids money for a chore done, helps establish that money does not appear from anywhere just like that, that it has to be earned. So in essence, chores are the best way to correlate the relationship between work and earning money. But then, what happens when they refuse to do the work demanding for a rise in allowance or they have enough money and decide not to do any more household chores?

Trying financial compensation for chores can be a drawback towards achieving the basic principles of assisting in family chores in the first place. If basic chores are linked to an allowance, then kids may grow up feeling that they should be paid for everything and this is a very wrong and dangerous idea. On the other hand they may get lazy and decide not to partake in any family chore where money is not involved.

“I always keep allowances and chores separate. I might offer to pay for something outside the house like washing the car. Allowances are to teach money management. Chores just have to be done and there is no compromise about that. When kids grow up, they have to keep the house clean whether they are getting paid or not. It’s all just part of living.” Says Rakiya Ahmed, a mother of four boys.

Despite these facts, parents should be careful not to demand too much from their kids and should ensure that the chores are age appropriate and fair. Chores should not be seen as a punishment for the kids but as something that must be done. Being preoccupied with work should start from the home, if you wish a child you so much love should be self disciplined and confident in life! Remember to recognize completed chores by kids with words of encouragement and praise; it will go a long way in ensuring the next chore is done in haste and properly to.