There are many ways for parents to keep their children involved in home care, but we are going to discuss the top seven ways. These seven methods will keep kids involved in taking care of the home from as early as the toddler years and all throughout their teen years.
7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Help Take Care of Their Home
- Lead by example
- Start small and work your way up with chores
- A family is a team and everyone pitches in
- Responsibilities mean everyone helps
- Earn money to purchase things
- Take pride in what you have
- Learning how to do chores builds character
Leading by Example
As a parent, it is impossible to preach to your children about keeping a clean and presentable space if you cannot show them how to correctly do this. You are their teacher at home and must be able to live by what you say. If they see you throwing trash around and not cleaning, they will feel it is ok to act the same way. Children learn their behaviors from their parents so make sure you are setting a good example.
Start Small With Chores
Imitation is the best flattery. There are many toddler-appropriate toys that simulate parental cleaning tools. Buy your child a small play vacuum and have them push their vacuum alongside yours while you are doing the chore. The same goes for a broom or play mop. Your child can learn to mimic you once they are a toddler and if you praise them while they are “playing” they will want to do the real thing one day.
As soon as they are old enough to dust, give them a dust rag and have them help you. As they get older increase their chore load so they learn how to do the same chores that you do. Once your child is a preteen or teen they should be able to wash the dishes, work the washing machine and clothes dryer, mop, sweep, vacuum, and dust without any problems. They should also have basic organizational skills for cabinets and closets. Your teens should know how to care for laminate vs vinyl within your house as well and fully understand what certain cleaners are intended for.
Work as a Team
Just as you will lead by example to show your child how to clean, you should also encourage the entire family to pitch in. One sibling may find it unfair if another never has to clean up after themselves, unload groceries, wash produce or help with weekly chores. Make sure everyone is pitching in as a team and it will also make for bonding time for the family.
Children Learn That Everyone Helps
It is inevitable, your child will come to you asking for a pet of some kind at one point or another. If you decide to get one, you will need to talk about the added chores and responsibilities that come along with owning and caring for a pet. Make sure the entire family is on board and that everyone will help take care of the adding living creature in the home.
Purchase Things of Their Own
Another great way to get kids actively involved in helping with the care of the home and things inside it is to make them purchase their own things. A child may break a parent’s phone and be upset, but if they break a phone they purchased, they will fully understand the financial ramifications of the carelessness. It is not always good to give your kids everything they want. Make them earn some of their own things in order to fully appreciate them.
They Take Pride in What They Have
Just as above, it is important for kids to not only work for what they have but to appreciate it as well. Make sure you teach your children how to clean and care for the things that they purchase so that they can take pride in ownership. This will help them also understand why it is important to take pride in the home they live in.
Explain That Chores Build Character
Learning how to do basic chores builds character. It is important to teach kids how to clean, cook and participate in the house properly because it will help them appreciate those who make a career out of cleaning and cooking a bit more. It will build character when they have first-hand knowledge of how much work goes into keeping a place presentable.
Following these seven tips will help keep your children well-rounded and active in the care of their home. The things you teach your children now will carry over to when they have a family and a home of their own.
Disclosure: collaborative post
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