Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it would be easier for me to just do the chores for my kids. They have homework and after school practice, however I don’t think I would be doing them any favors by exempting them. One day they will be grown up and their MOM and DAD will not be there to do it for them.
It is my responsibility to teach them life skills (like laundry, cooking, and household responsibility) before they head out on their own. My intention is not to overwhelm them either, but they should contribute and also apply these concepts at school.
So after thinking about what the long term benefits are from their participation, here is a list of 5 Life Lessons That Chores Are Teaching My Children!
1. Pay attention to details – It is so important to make a good impression and I use laundry as an example of this. I explain to my kids the importance of cleaning, removing clothes promptly from the washer to avoid souring, and then from the dryer to avoid wrinkles. Imagine your child showing up to work or school in wrinkled or smelly clothes, is that really the way they want to represent themselves?
2. There will be consequences if you don’t complete your work – Just like homework or an assignment, if you don’t complete your chores there will be a consequence. Whether emptying the trash, dusting, or vacuuming, if it isn’t completed this could be a loss of a TV, Tablet, or Video Game Time, or possibly missing out on a fun activity. In the real world it could mean a bad grade or loss of a job.
3. Organization makes tasks easier – When I clean up my kids rooms they can’t find anything, when they clean it up they know exactly where everything is. The same applies at school when they put away items in their desk or as adults when they are working in an office or job site environment.
4. Everyone matters – When my kiddos set the table, each one of them has an important job to do. Whether putting out the place mats, napkins, or utensils, each part is needed in order to start our dinner. The same concept applies when you get married or work with a group of people. You need the group as a whole to complete the task in a job setting and as couples, they work together to create a happy home.
5. Strive to be independent – I show my children how to do a task, but at some point I want them to try it themselves. Just like a bird learning to fly, I need to let my kiddos spread their wings. Even if it isn’t perfect or the way I would do it, I am proud that they tried and practice is the only way to get better.
Which Life Lessons are you hoping your children are learning from chores?
I am hoping that the Life Lessons my children are learning, will continue to help them to be responsible and independent students and adults.
FFM
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