Washing Up! (Photo credit: pacovida)
When parents speak of “discipline” they often focus on meting out consequences for undesirable behaviors. I like to think in terms of what goes in to developing discipline as a personal quality.
It need not be complex. When parents assign simple daily chores, such setting the dinner table, they provide an opportunity for their children have certain helpful experiences. Whether setting the table, feeding the dog or folding the laundry, developing the habit of completing a regular household chore can contribute quite a bit to a child’s growth and personal development.
- Doing a ‘real’ job helps build self esteem by allowing a child to be a vital, contributing member of the family. Moving from make-believe cooking to ‘the real deal’ can be a mile marker on the road to being a grown-up
- Children start to learn that their actions matter and experience autonomy through the successful completion of a household chore. There’s no denying a mowed lawn or a made bed!
- Most household jobs require a level of focus — especially when the person doing that work does not have a great deal of experience.
- Contributing to the family through completing one (or more) household jobs can teach a person how to complete an assignment and what good work habits feel like. It’s an early taste of job satisfaction.
- Acquiring a new skill takes work, practice and repetition. And we get to learn that “practice makes progress.”
Who knew the chore chart could be such a powerful and important tool in helping to develop the habit of personal discipline?
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4 Responses to “5 Lessons from Your Chore Chart”
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Another great post Andrea! I love how you link giving kids chores to how it impacts their personal development. Which reminds me, I’ve got three kids I need to get out of bed so they can eat their breakfast and do their chores! 🙂
Although my children are all grown up, I remember how valuable setting up a chore chart was until they left the house. Now they set up their own…thanks Andrea for your amazing wisdom!
Hi Andrea,
Growing up, chores were more of a punishment or barter thing in my family. No only did we have chores around the house, but I grew up on a horse farm. I love horses but I will never own one. My parents thought it would be swell to teach us kids “responsibility” and “a work ethic.” With one or two horses, sure. 20-30? Uh, no.
When it came to my own kids, I was all about being responsible for your stuff and pitching in to help the family unit. I’m pretty sure I achieved a decent balance to help teach my children the basics in responsibility, self-reliance, and reliability. They all know how to cook, separate lights from darks, do laundry (wash, dry, fold, and PUT AWAY 😉 ) clean the bathroom, take out the trash and do what’s needed for the smooth operation of a household. They’ve all successfully flown the nest and some have families of their own now.
I hope you have a fabulous day!
Simple daily chores build character and give a sense of responsibility that nurtures children beautifully. Children grow up in a different age now. It would be great to see children return to some of the old school ways of playing, participating and just being kids a little longer.