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Clean That Room!
How to Get Your Kid to Help Around the House
By Gwen Morrison
One of the best ways to build self-esteem and confidence in your child is to delegate specific household jobs for them to do, according to Elizabeth Pantley, author of several parenting books including Perfect Parenting (McGraw-Hill, 1998) and Kid Cooperation (New Harbinger Publications, 1996).
"Regular chores establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work," Pantley says. "It also teaches kids valuable lessons about life and creates an understanding that there are jobs that must be done to run a household."
Remember to be flexible – kids these days seem to have more commitments than ever. With homework responsibilities and extra-curricular activities keeping them busy, it might be best to plan on setting a goal day for completing their chores. The idea is to build self-esteem and encourage achievement; therefore, it is important to be realistic in your expectations to avoid failure.
Donna Chavez of Naperville, Ill., and her family take a healthy approach to what they call "Ownership Opportunities."
"Our house belongs to all of us; we all must take responsibility for it so we all may continue to enjoy it," she says. "The kids take care of the house so they may be proud of their home. They like knowing what is expected of them and then be allowed the freedom to schedule time for it on their own."
