|
Children start out with a natural curiosity to want to help mom and dad, but as they get older, this desire soon leaves as they find other things to occupy their time. Things such as friends, video games, television shows, reading a good book, talking on the phone, finishing some school project, extra-curricular activities, rehearsals, and the list continues to grow the older they become.
How do parents get their children to pick up after themselves?
1. Start when they are young and enthusiastic. Start when they desire to help mom and dad. Even if they may make a bigger mess, take the time to show them how to do it right. If children learn the phrase "later" from mom and dad, it is only natural that they will develop a subconscious "later" attitude.
2. Find chores that are age appropriate for the child and do not expect them to get it right the first time. Heck, don’t even expect them to get it right the hundredth time. Children are just starting to develop their motor skills and need time to practice them. By allowing them to make a bed that looks like the dog just trampled across it, and praising them for a job well-done, you are instilling in them a sense of pride. A pride in taking care of their things and you are instilling in them an "I can do it" attitude.
3. Allow your children to come home from school and relax before you hit them up with their chores. Just as a parent likes to come home from work and flop on the couch for a few minutes, a child needs time to unwind from their day at school.
4. If your children cannot remember to do their chores on their own, consider gentle reminders. You can simply say something like, "Okay everyone, it’s time to get busy on our chores. Tim, you make the beds in every room. Emily, you vacuum the rugs in all the rooms. Trish, you take the dishes out of the dishwasher, put them away and put in the next load of dishes. And, I will mop the floor and do the laundry." What this does, is show everyone that a clean house takes teamwork and teamwork gets the job done in half the time.
5. Whether you work outside of the home or stay home while your spouse works outside of the home, children need to understand, from an early age that everyone has a role in the house. Let them know that dad works outside of the home and splits his money with every member of the household, from toys to food on the table. Tell them that he deserves to come home to a clean house and our jobs as children and stay at home parents are to keep the house clean and presentable. It may take awhile for this concept to sink in, but when it does, it is like a light bulb shining bright in that child’s head.
6. Don’t stereotype chores as male and female chores. Boredom easily sets in when a child has to stick to only one chore or certain types of chores.
7. Consider a chart that tells each child what he or she is to do on a certain day.
8. Offer an allowance or reward system.
9. Make it clear that no one gets to hang out with their friends or do extracurricular activities until their chores are done.
| 
