Teaching a child to be responsible at an early age makes him grow better.
As parents, we always wait for the child to take a nap for us to clean up the house. When the child is sleeping, we can tidy up the house and complete the other household work undisrupted. But we need to understand that kids do love to accompany their parents while doing household chores. Involving them in household chores make them understand how everything works at home. It also makes them more responsible and connected to the home. Some kids use the household things to play leaving their toys behind – We must make the best out of it.

1. Introduce them to the chores

Kids cling to the caretaker in their early days while cooking, and cleaning etc… There begins everything, they watch their parents doing the chores. Every errand is new to them and gives them excitement to watch. Kids have better observation than we know, so they observe and grasp well and get familiar with the daily routine. Giving them an opportunity to perform simple errands they watched will make them happier. Offering them with responsibility in housework, will make their day and enhance their commitment to complete the tasks. In every household at the younger age of children, it would be common to hear “I will do it, I want to do it,” from them. Rings a bell? Just let them do it, even if they mess it up they will learn and someday they will perfect it.

2. Make them feel Significant

When you are carrying on your daily routine, make it a habit to have them around. Explain to them how things work and appreciate them even if they do something very insignificant. This helps them feel important and motivated. Discuss with them about simple household works. For instance, while arranging their things, toys, books etc… in their room, ask for their preference and demonstrate them to how to make the bed. This allows them to be responsible and opens up their mind to share ideas.

3. Interest them with choices

After 4-5 years, they lose their interest in household works. They might start saying no even if we ask for their help. It’s because by now they know about all errands and it has started to become uninteresting to them. By then present them with a list to choose what work he/she wants to do.

• Folding clothes: Allow them to fold their own clothes. Do not bother about how they do, appreciate them for their work.
• Watering Plants: Water is something that all kids like to play with. Let them do it as a work, kids will always love this. Talk about plants with them and let them water it and share their thoughts.
• Fixing his/her bed: Teach children the importance of making their bed.
• Tidying up his/her room: Make sure the chore a child is doing is enjoyable. Cleaning up their place should not be expected to be very tidy. Let them enjoy doing it though the result is not 100%. Appreciate them for what little they have done, it would motivate them.
• Putting away his/her toys: Assign them with the simplest works they can begin with. This gives them the thought and strong mindset to be independent in any situation.

4. Team up with your child

Parents and kids are always the best teams. Accompany the kid with works and applaud them in a way that makes them brim in pride. This not only gives them the passion to work but also teaches them about teamwork. It helps the child to acquire social skills and gives him a lesson about the outside world. He can have active participation with his neighborhood without hesitation. Working as a team also strengthens the bond the parents and child share.

5. Mix up the fun element

Never force them to do anything which gives them a negative emotion rather make them feel it as a game. Have a competition on who will finish the simple tasks first. Enjoy and get sporty now and then, when you are doing the housework. For instance, when you are folding clothes make small animals out of the clothes and ask your kid to make the respective sounds. It might take longer than usual to complete but it will interest your kid to help and make up happy memories to them. The child needs to have fun in what he/she is doing.

6. Rewards – The most effective one

Rewards always bring joy irrespective of any age. Reward them for their hard work irrespective of the quality of the work. Give your child a special treat for his eyes with small things that they like. That doesn’t need to be a big reward; it may be a few things that they like. For instance, have a small notice board and award them with stars, let them play with their favorite toy some time more; take them to play in a park.  We must always keep in mind that, engaging your child irrespective of their gender with household chores is not to lessen our burden but to make them responsible and independent. It is a life skill every parent should teach their child so they can be self-sufficient and also when they live together with people it would not be a burden for those living with them.

Make the tiring dirty works fun and memorable with your child.