Why your children can and should help with family chores

Who of us loves doing household chores? No one? Laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, vacuuming, and other household duties often cause moms and dads to feel frustrated and, in some cases, even resentful towards their children. However, household chores can – and should – be shared.

Children of all ages, even toddlers, can be taught simple domestic chores. Here are a few pointers to help you split chores and get started.

1. Take a group approach

Couples with children excel at teamwork because each parent understands the larger picture and the household’s overall demands. Make a list of household chores and activities that must be completed regularly. This could involve things like cooking, cleaning, and car washing. Teenagers, in particular, should be responsible for cleaning their own bedrooms. Assign who is responsible for cleaning the table, doing the dishes for the evening, and taking out the trash. Simple domestic chores teach children responsibility and how to assist one another.

2. Alternate roles

Take turns doing various household duties each day or week. Examine who is in charge of which tasks and whether one family member is doing more than the others.

3. Chores have nothing to do with gender

Your children will almost certainly claim that this task is only for girls and that this task is only for boys. Everyone needs to pick up a new talent or a set of skills. Teach your children these abilities and how to be responsible, and they will understand the importance of equality and fairness in the workplace.

4. Maintain an even playing field

The purpose of splitting each work among family members is to be fair and make them feel supported by the rest of the family.

5. Create a chores list

Make a to-do list for each family member that includes each task. Each member should be assigned a task and held accountable for doing it. You can use a piece of paper, a chart, a calendar, or a whiteboard to write it down.