Getting your kids to do chores around the house may seem like an impossible task. Let’s face it you probably don’t like vacuuming anymore than they do, so of course they are going to fight you on it! The younger you start the easier it will be. Believe it or not, even your toddler can help with simple chores around the house. Time to get those creative juices flowing! The more fun your kids are having the more likely they are to want to do chores the next time you ask them.
Turn on some music and see who can come up with the silliest dance while they wipe down the cupboards. It’s a great way for them to get a little extra exercise and makes wiping down the cupboards a little less tedious.
“See who can pick up the most toys in two minutes…on your mark, get set, go!” Kids love a little competition and before you know it the entire room is spotless! The best part, they were having so much fun they didn’t even realize they were cleaning.
Life is all about choices. This is the key to getting kids to do what you want. Have a list of chores on the fridge and let your child choose two chores from the list every day. They are more inclined to want to do it because it was the chore that they chose. Switch the chores out every week so they get the opportunity to learn how to do a variety of different chores around the house.
It doesn’t have to be the start of World War III every time you ask your kids to do their chores. Keep it fun and give them choices. Kids can and should be helping you around the house, as single parents, we desperately need their help, but even more than that, we are teaching them responsibility, and that’s what’s really important in the long run.