thedifferentmomblogLet’s just face it, mothers need help around the house. You don’t have to be a single mother like me to need/want help. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, married, work full-time, work part-time, or a stay-at-home mom, you appreciate help from time to time.
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Growing up my parents didn’t have give us chores! Yes, you read that right, my parents didn’t make me or my 5 siblings do anything other than keep our rooms clean. And honestly, I was the worst at that. I’m still pretty terrible at it.
They would say we had enough responsibility with keeping our rooms clean, keeping up with our grades, and concentrating on our extra curricular activities.
It still blows people’s minds when I tell them that. My parents were just that amazing.
Even though we didn’t have chores, my parents made sure we “knew how to do things.” My sister and I knew how to change a tire, mow the lawn, minor repairs around the house, and the “domestic” work. We knew how to cook, laundry, dust, vacuum. We could and still can do it all.
But guess what, not only did my sister and I learn all of those skills, all 4 of my brothers did too. Yes, my brothers can cook (and still do), and do their own laundry, plus all of the other stuff.
But folks, I ain’t my mama and daddy. My children help around the house. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a single mother, but I don’t want to be the only person doing EVERYTHING.
I get tired! I get overwhelmed…yes, I know it’s hard to believe LOL.
Although, I don’t ask my children to do much at all,they still help. My son’s only chore is to take out the trash when it’s full and on trash and recycle days. My daughter helps me dust and helps put laundry away.
I know y’all are probably thinking I’m crazy too. But I guess I still have too much of my parents in me.
I just have this mindset that my children aren’t my slaves. I start feeling lazy. But I don’t want you to ever feel like that, if you ask your children to help.
But when I am cleaning up, I do expect them to help. They help put the dishes away. They help sweep. They help vacuum. They help with yard work.
These things just aren’t assigned per-say, and they aren’t solely depended on that one person. We just see what needs to be done, and we do it. Or I just ask, can you help me put the dishes away if it’s a ton of dishes.
If I use the weed eater, my son mows the lawn. My daughter helps rack, and cut limbs.
It’s truly a team effort around the house, but I’m the LeBron of the Cavs…I carry most of the weight.
But if you don’t feel like shouldering all of the work, I suggest assigning chores. There is nothing wrong with either method. I do suggest if you assign chores, get a chart, so everyone knows what’s expected, and they’re on the same page.
There’s no excuses. If they complete their chores, give them a reward.
Yes, I said give them a reward! People like to have an expected end. They tend to work more efficiently and better when there is a rewarded outcome.
Don’t you like getting rewarded for your assigned tasks? There is nothing wrong with rewarded and motivating your children. After all, you’re raising adults, not babies.
When I was teaching my son to care for himself, I came up with a chore chart that consisted of him making his bed, brushing his teeth, saying his prayers…little things like that for a 3-4 year old to learn to take care of his self.
When he completed one, he would put a sticker by one. When he finished for that week, he got a treat.
It’s just that simple. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or complicated. Don’t stress yourself or your children.
Subscribe here to receive free copies of chore charts you can use for your children. When they complete a task, let them put a sticker on the chart, or for the older ones, a simple check will work.
I even added a few extra spaces for you to fill in more chores if you’d like.
Or you can come up with your own charts. These are merely guides of age appropriate chores. Or use these amazing charts (affiliate link)
When they finish their jobs, give an allowance, candy, a toy, a trip to the ice cream shop, whatever reward you agree upon.
Print the PDFs as many times as you need to. It helps establish a routine. and it helps mom/dad around the house. So you may want to print 5 or 6 copies. It’s up to you, and your family dynamic.
We as mothers need all the help we can get, and take advantage of every opportunity.
If you vary from the chart, or stop doing it after a while, guess what, that’s OK. The habit is formed so it makes it easier to make sure they do their part, and the house stays in tact.
Good luck!
