Description

To us, chores and responsibilities fall under the same umbrella with just a slight difference. Responsibilities are things kids do to take care of themselves, i.e. getting dressed, brushing teeth, keeping their room neat. Chores are the responsibilities that help maintain the house and keep the family organized.

Smart Mom University also believes that chores teach children life skills that they will need when they live on their own. Therefore, we encourage you to provide your child with a variety of chores that they will use for a lifetime.

Chores can start as young as two-years-old but, no matter what age you start giving your child chores, it is important that they are age appropriate and you must take the time, and have the patience, to teach your child how to do the chore. Your child may need you to teach them how to do the chore more than once. It is important that you reteach them with patience. It is also important to remember that the chore may not be completed exactly how you would have done it. Over time, your child's abilities and attention to detail WILL improve.

Remember that no chore is specific to a gender. Boys can clean toilets just like girls and girls can mow the lawn just like boys.

The earlier children begin taking on chores, the less arguments you will have. If your child does push back on doing chores, hang in there and continue to have them do their chores. If you stop because they argue with you, they will see you as a pushover and it will make many other areas of raising children difficult. Believe it or not, your child will thank you later for making them do chores when they were younger.

Don't view chores as slave labor. It's important that everyone take part in chores throughout the house. This is a great way to bond and build respect for all of the work that it takes to maintain a home.