Being a mom of three kids definitely keeps me busy. When it comes to chores, I often find myself thinking that I can do it twice as fast, if I just do it myself.

One day, a few months ago, my husband came home with a chore chart and we decided that it was worth a try.  We talked about what needed to get done on a daily basis, and who in our family was ready to be put to work.

To be honest, I was skeptical to say the least. I was worried that the chores would not get done the right way. I did not want to listen to the kids complain about their chores all the time, and I was sure it wouldn’t last.
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So I wasn’t surprised that at first, all my fears became reality. There was a lot of “Mom, I don’t want to do it !” or “Mom, it’s not fair!”, or “Mom, do I have to?”. But we did stick to it. We taught our kids how to clean a toilet, how to unload and load a dishwasher, how to do the laundry, and how to vacuum clean. Soon enough I just had to say “What are your chores today ?” and although they were not happy- they went to work. The best thing was, that I found myself having a bit more free time and our house was- not significantly- but definitely cleaner.

 

Here are a few golden rules you need to keep in mind if you put your kids to work at home:

 

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1.Consistency is key. If your kids know what’s expected of them, they have an easier time accepting it.
2. Do not expect them to complete the job perfectly from day one. It takes time to learn how to do it the right way.
3. Appreciate your kid’s contribution! Implement a reward system and be sure to praise a job well done.
4. Make it fun! Turn up the music and take the time to dance around the house when you clean with your kids.
5. Be aware, you will forget about the chores from time to time, you will give in to your children’s complaints, and you will want to give up on the whole plan. It’s ok! You just have to get back into the saddle and get back to it.
After all, I am here to tell you: It is worth the effort. Not only do your kids pull their weight around the house, they will also learn to appreciate all you do for them, and learn a valuable life skill!

 

Tanja