Involving your kids in your cleaning routine has endless benefits (for them and you) but getting them to help around the house feels like an uphill battle. And sometimes, it feels easier to do it all yourself.
But science tells us that contributing to a household is paramount to raising confident, independent, and capable kids. So, how do you get them to buy into it? If you feel like you spend valuable time nagging your kids to help around the house or get pushback when you ask them to pitch in, you need a chore chart for kids printable.
Why Chores Matter
Researchers from the University of Minnesota studied young adults in their 20s. They looked for patterns between parenting styles and future career success, high IQ, and healthy adult relationships. They found that parents who involved their children, at a young age, in household chores set their kids up for future success.
In addition, Harvard has been conducting a study for over 75 years to determine the keys to successful and happy lives. Thriving adults have two things in common: a great deal of love and a high degree of work ethic. They have found that loving and being loved and learning to contribute to a family system grow confidence and independence and form the foundation for successful work and personal relationships.
So how do we take the science and implement it in our own homes? These things are always easier said than done. In reality, it will take a lot of focus and intentional effort from the adults in the house to establish a routine and expectation around household chores. Honestly, it will take more time and energy to teach your children that responsibility than doing the chores yourself.
How to Get Your Kids Involved
We are playing the long game here. Throughout their childhood, they will learn to do things themselves and experience the satisfaction of accomplishing something. They will learn about independence and feel what it is like to be trusted to complete something. They will grow confident and be proud that they contribute to their home and family.
But how exactly do we go about it? Like many good things, it starts with a printable. I’ve made it easy by creating one for you. To make it a success, you’ll need to prioritize, track, make it fun, and reward.
Prioritize
Finding the time and energy to implement something new can be the hardest part. But it is also a great reason to download a printable chore chart. Post it somewhere that you see it often as a visual reminder of your family’s commitment to completing their chores. Then, use it to gauge exactly how consistent you are.
Prioritizing chores day after day, week after week, can feel daunting. However, a visual reminder will help everyone see how hard they have worked and how much they have accomplished.
Track
Nothing is more satisfying than getting to the end of the week and seeing a chore chart filled with check marks or stickers. Your kids will love it, too.
Tracking chores is, hands down, the best way to get everyone on the same page. Tracking helps kids know exactly what you expect of them, and you will be able to visually see what has (and hasn’t) been done. A chart may be what makes your new habits successful.
Make it Fun
The world’s greatest parenting hack makes even the most boring tasks fun and exciting. It results in less whining and more willingness to jump in and get the job done. Put on fun music and have a dance party while you do your chores. Make it a game or a scavenger hunt. Celebrate the accomplishments, no matter how minor.
Kids tend to mirror emotions. The fun starts with you! Do your best to put a positive spin on things and make it something your family looks forward to. It sounds like a pipe dream, but it is possible and will change the game.
Reward
Rewards can be controversial. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of rewarding for household tasks, a completed and filled-out chore chart is worth celebrating. While you get to decide whether you reward with an allowance, a special celebration, a treat, or a high five, don’t forget to affirm a job well done. Positive praise is far more effective than criticism, so don’t miss the opportunity to let your kids know what they did well.
Are you ready to get started? There’s no time like the present. Download a chore chart and assign everyone some age-appropriate tasks. Twenty years from now, when you see your children thrive, you will be glad you put in the hard work today.
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Infographic
Getting your kids involved in your cleaning routine has many benefits, but it can be challenging to encourage them to help. This infographic provides effective tips on motivating kids to clean.
