Thanks to everyone who chimed in to my chore question here or over at Facebook. The consensus is that I’m not asking too much and that I could be asking her to do more than just clean the bathroom once a week. I see the wisdom in that. All of my children need to learn how to clean, but more importantly, they need to learn the value in pitching in to the benefit of all.
So, she has more chores coming her way. In fact, the younger three have more coming their way too.
I’m thinking this is not going to be an overnight transformation with kids begging me for work or volunteering to do a new job. In fact, this might take years in the physical sense and lots of maturity in their spiritual life. I know I need all the patience, gentleness and self control to tackle those jobs I’d rather not do. Sure I can scrub with the best of them, but my attitude. . .yes, sometimes the moms attitude isn’t so pure or lovely. And I’m grumbling under my breath the whole time.
Teaching children the value of a job well done, to work without complaining, and to do their best work: these are my goals for having the kids do chores. I know how much more I enjoy my house when it’s clean or how much more I can relax if I’m not thinking about a job left undone. Part of me enjoys cleaning - I told you about that recently – and let’s be honest, as a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom, housework is a big part of my day.
So because I’m already blogging about chores (thanks, Susan for the idea), I might as well give you updates along the way. Who is doing what chore, how long it takes him or her to master and the general attitude of all of us.
Related posts:
- Chores for girls: What do your daughters do? My 11 year old daughter, you know her as Susan...
Twitter: allforkidscox.net
Go Mom Go!! I remember when I was first teaching my kids to do chores and help around the house!! You will be blessed for your diligence!!
Love and Blessings
.-= Angel´s last blog ..Inside the Broken Heart =-.
Great job getting the kids used to chores! Making them feel important and essential to the well being of the family is so important. My girls and I clean ONE room a day – that’s it. This way the task is within reach and not overwhelming. We also get to spend time together, while I scrub and they dust or put things away. It’s our favorite part of the day!
I’m looking forward to hearing these posts… My eldest is 5, and I have about a dozen years in front of me to help train her to run a home.
Twitter: CBerbs
In my opinion, it’s not necessarily important how much your daughter does in comparison to other kids her age. She might do more. She might do less. To me, it seems most important that what she is doing is working for your family. Also, I don’t necessarily think the quantity of work is anything to worry about (because I think families will work it out eventually). I tend to think that getting kids to buy into being a part of a team, working together, working well/hard, and being able to see the positive outcome of their work is more valuable (to me).
I didn’t reply to your other post, but I thought I might add a quick thought.
Obviously that’s all my own opinion, and it might work completely differently in your family. I think taking into consideration the family’s needs, kids’ abilities and personalities, and family dynamics will go a long way in figuring out the challenge that chores can become.
I am a firm believer in chores for little ones. It is a good way to teach them responsibility and respect for themselves and where they live, but you are right it is not an overnight process. Thanks for your kind words on my blog and good luck with the chores at home.
Kathleen
.-= Kathleen B.´s last blog ..Winner of the Febreze Gift Pack- =-.