Kids Vs. Chores: How to Win The Losing Battle

Parent: "Why haven't you done your chores?"

Child: "I'll do them later!"

Whether we like to admit it or not, we’ve all been in that type of position. Whether it is from being a parent or being a kid in the house, it stinks. Most the time it ends up with a yelling match and a stomping child getting annoyed that they have to do their chores, whatever they may be. It doesn’t have to be this way anymore. With the below simple tips not only will your children be doing their chores but *gasp* they may actually like doing them.

Have you considered making chores a game yet? There are many ways to do this including making it a timed challenge. Timing is a great way to get them to do their chores and have a little fun. For example, try making it a contest between each child. Whoever has their chores done first within the next 30 minutes can stay up 20 minutes later. This is a great way to get the kids moving and keeping time for them to be able to do other things as well. 

Make sure that you are also letting them know that you as the parent will be checking their progress at the end of the challenge. This almost works like a reward system in a way. After all, what kid doesn’t like staying up past their normal bedtime?

For more creative chore game ideas try a few of these: Thriving Family & KidSpot.

Some people aren’t very big fans of offering an allowance to their children, but I think that it is a great way to keep them motivated and give them a lesson in how earning money is done by working for it. After all, we as adults go to work and do what we we’re asked in order to make a paycheck. Clean Mama has a great FREE chore and reward chart printable. I've linked to it at the bottom of this post. 

Depending on their age, parents can choose exactly how much is given. Let’s say that your child is around 5 or 6, maybe some change. If older but under 10, consider say maybe a dollar or two a week. I would say they older they are maybe they could receive more as their chores will of course be different. 

If they don’t do the chores consider taking part of their allowance away. This way you are not rewarding them for not doing what they are responsible for. This not only helps the children to get use to doing chores, but you are also working on your communication with your kids. Not to mention, this will help them have a little more motivation to do their housework.
  

Rewards are a great way to help your children take responsibility for their chores and giving them some extra incentive. Some parents like to give an allowance and other like to give rewards for good behavior like staying up later than normal, more computer time or even a new video game. Wouldn’t that be great? Again depending on their age, rewards can differ from one thing to another.

 

While children are being rewarded, this will also give them a way to feel like they’re doing the dishes, cleaning their ream, etc. makes them more significant in helping out. Chores are work and that is a great thing to be rewarded at. After all, as I had mentioned previously, adults are rewarded often at work when they do well. 

Overall if you’re still stuck on getting your children to do their chores, consider making it more fun by adding music to the mix. Much like I’ve suggested in Spring Cleaning Tips for Teens, listening to music is a great way to stay motivated and get your child going. If their favorite song is by Barbie, than by all means let them listen to it over and over. After all, cleaning shouldn’t always be so boring. It should be fun and rewarding. 

Click the picture below for a free chore chart printable from CleanMama:

Do you reward your kids for doing chores?