Tips For Teaching Chores
August 2, 2000
Chores can be unpleasant for everyone, especially children.
But doing chores may be more than just helping out Mom and Dad.
In today's Family Now report, experts take up the topic of how chores can teach responsibility and make family life a lot easier.
Having children help with chores isn't always the fastest way to get the job done, or the best way to get the desired results.
But some experts - including parents - say it's one way children learn to work.
Kayelyn Robinson: "EVERYBODY IN THE FAMILY HAS TO DO THEIR PART. I HAVE TO DO MY PART. THEY DO THEIR PART. BECAUSE IF ONE PERSON HAS TO DO IT ALL, THEN THAT PERSON IS NOT VERY HAPPY AND THAT PERSON NEVER GETS TO HAVE ANY FUN AND THAT PERSON IS USUALLY MOM."
All the Robinson children have jobs around the house.
Their parents hope the chores teach responsibility.
Steven loads the dishes in the dishwasher.
Steven Robinson: "IT HELPS ME SO THEN I KNOW HOW TO WORK."
Parenting experts say all kids can do jobs appropriate for their age.
A.J. dusts the mantle in the living room.
Four-year-old Kimi puts her toys away.
Robinson hopes her kids understand there are consequences to not doing chores.
Kayelyn Robinson: "YOU DIDN'T FEEL LIKE DOING YOUR CHORE. I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE DOING MY CHORE. SO WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO EAT DINNER ON TIME. OR I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE GOING TO THE STORE. YOU DIDN'T WANT TO DO YOUR CHORES AND I DON'T WANT TO DO MINE. SO I DON'T HAVE TO, RIGHT? TALKING IT THROUGH LIKE THAT, THEY REALIZE, 'OH, THERE'S A CONSEQUENCE THERE.'"
The kids don't get paid for doing their normal chores, but they can get paid for doing extra.
Kayelyn Robinson: "THEY DO NOT GET PAID FOR DOING THEIR REGULAR CHORES, WHICH ARE MINIMAL. LIKE KEEPING THEIR ROOM CLEAN, OR CLEANING THE BATHROOM, OR THE LIVING ROOM OR THE KITCHEN DURING THE DAY. THEY DO GET PAID FOR DOING EXTRA CHORES."
