There will always be debate about whether to pay your kids for chores, but there’s no denying that chores help build responsibility and strong habits that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re finishing up summer chores or looking ahead at fall chores, there are countless benefits of doing chores. Let’s start with 7 of them — and the lifelong lessons your kids will learn.
Responsibility
Kids and teens love having a sense of ownership. They see you being a responsible adult (look at you go!) and are motivated by having their own set of responsibilities. Chores help instill a sense of ownership and ensure that they don’t rely on you for everything.
Self-care
Not all chores involve a broom or vacuum. Some chores can be as simple as “Brush your teeth before bed” or “Put on deodorant.” These kinds of chores show your kids how to make a habit out of taking care of themselves, and we’re here for it.
Teamwork
Another benefit of chores is that your kids will learn a thing or two about teamwork. Many chores require all hands on deck, like making dinner or helping tidy up the yard. Getting your kids involved in household responsibilities shows them the importance of teamwork. Plus, they’ll learn how to make it fun!
Time management & prioritization
Let's say your kids have 1 day to finish 5 chores for a total of $20. How will they prioritize their tasks? Will they really spend an hour on their phones or will they devote their day to their chores? This may feel familiar — we all have to manage time as adults, and chores will give your kids a head start.
Problem-solving
Your kids are bound to run into some obstacles as they tackle household responsibilities. Maybe the wind is blowing their leaf piles onto the sidewalk or perhaps the vacuum breaks. What does this mean for you? Let them be problem-solvers. They’ll thank you later!
Doing your part
Whether you pay your kids for chores or not, they’ll learn what it means to do their part. There’s a sense of community that develops when everyone’s in the kitchen clearing plates, talking about the day and loading up the dishwasher. Join in — and one day, they’ll actually pass the “do your part” lesson down to their own kids.
Fundamentals of cleaning
Everyone has to learn how to clean one way or the other. It’s a LOT easier to learn as a kid or teenager than when they leave the nest and don’t know how to clean a 180-square-foot dorm room. Give them chores now while you can still give them some pointers and they can start building their skills. Learning to be a thorough cleaner takes practice!
“Great way to pay my son for chores. It’s made him feel more independant and it’s so easy for me. Now that he buys things himself with his card, he sees how expensive things are and has a much greater appreciation for money.”
-- R. Wells
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