Some of you may have seen this chart floating around on the
internet recently sparking some talk on the mommy blogs and parenting websites
about the topic of having kids do chores.
Should we or shouldn’t we, why and what is appropriate/beneficial to the
child or household.
Lots of comments both ways but I find the ones in the “against”
column fascinating…. In a train wreck sort-of way.
A few days ago a Babble blogger wrote an article against
having children do chores because (and I’m paraphrasing here) it’s just easier
to clean the house myself because the kids don’t do a good job.
Wow, did you hear that?
Really? She didn’t even have to duck, right over her head! TOTALLY not
the point of having children do chores….and there were lots of comments,
believe me. (If you want to read it for yourself: http://tinyurl.com/ktr2ofn )
My point is, I think that it is actually harmful to the
learning process if you don’t have the kids do some chores. While I don’t
agree with this particular chart (outdated and it has the child drying dishes, watering the
plants and making beds before they can replace a toilet paper roll…what?), there is nothing wrong with giving your kids
things they need to do around the house which teaches them that the family is a
team effort and that everybody
contributes plus they begin to learn responsibility, accomplishment, self-pride and that Mom is not their maid. Is it really horrible to teach your kids to
pick up their toys, appreciate them and learn to take care of them? Is helping to cook and clean in the kitchen
ridiculous? They’re gonna need it as an
adult. Will it hurt them to gather their clothes for the laundry or help Dad
put tools away in the garage?
If you start early, you may be able to avoid the kind of narcissistic
children who grow up to be the lazy teens and young adults with that never
ending sense of entitlement.
So, should you make the kids do everything and become your
personal slaves, of course not! Age
appropriate duties to contribute to your family? …Yes. Each child is different... but you know what your
kids are capable of and what’s important in your family. When they’re little, will
they make a bigger mess trying to help? Certainly, but it’s all a learning
experience, they’ll get it…..Will they complain about chores as they get older?
Absolutely!... And that too is a right of passage.
Tell us what you think!
