Don’t you wish you were rich? Don’t you wish you had a maid 24/7 to pick up your house and do all the chores? Hey, you don’t need a maid; you’ve got your kids! So put those little critters to work. HA!
When Jason and Sara were three and four, I created a chart. I realized early on the value of having a routine and assigning them family duties. It was good for them. It created a sense of safety. It helped them to rely on their surroundings when otherwise our household at times would have felt rather upside down. Sound familiar?
So here’s the deal with chores. Tucked inside those duties of folding clothes and cleaning out drawers lurk a myriad of life lessons and undeveloped skills that your children need. Girlfriend, chores should be your very best friend!
Chores give the children a sense of family value: belonging, purpose, significance.
Chores build self-esteem. Completing a job and doing it well creates a feeling of accomplishment.
- Chores instill the importance of completing what one starts.
- Chores teach order, harmony and organization.
- Chores introduce the concept of teamwork.
- Chores prepare the children for the real world.
- Chores grant opportunities to give back and feel like contributors.
- Chores develop integrity: dependability, doing your best, accountability.
- Chores serve as the vehicle to practicing biblical principles:
Philippians 2:14 – “Do everything without grumbling and complaining.”
2 Corinthians 9: 6 – “God loves a cheerful giver.”
And best of all, chores empower you. After all, isn’t life more pleasant around the house when there’s less nagging and a framework in which to live together?
So put on a grin and start right in. Make those household puppies work. I heard a saying that won’t leave me alone: Children who do too little have moms who did too much. Ouch! Now that’s a good one.
